A working group led by Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Hein Verbruggen had working sessions with concerned departments of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) in Beijing on 16 and 17 January.

During the sessions, members of the team conducted wide-ranging discussions and communications with leading officials of BOCOG departments on as many as 49 topics related to the 29th Olympic Games. They included technology, ticketing, marketing, media and communications, Torch Relay, transport, accommodation, venue management, sport, and media operations.

Commission members also had discussions with leading officials of the relevant departments of the Beijing municipal government and co-host cities and got in-depth knowledge about BOCOG's over-all preparatory work for the Games and the implementation of related plans.

Liu Jingmin, vice mayor of Beijing and executive vice-president of BOCOG extended sincere appreciation for the help, support and guidance that IOC and Coordination Commission had given to BOCOG. He expressed willingness to take IOC' suggestions in full consideration and continue to work on and carry out details of every undertaking, with an aim to fulfill the preparatory work in 2006, the decisive year for the Games.

At the summing-up meeting, Verbruggen spoke highly of close cooperation between IOC and BOCOG, noting that their common goal is to stage a successful Olympic Games. Currently, BOCOG's preparations are well underway and IOC will spare no effort to support BOCOG's work.

The 8th visit of the full Commission will take place in April this year.