On 25 September, the first World Press Briefing organized by the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee (BOCOG), started in Beijing, China, with around 320 media representatives (written press, photographers, news agencies) from all over the world, as well as representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee (VANOC) and the London 2012 Organizing Committee (London 2012).

BOCOG President Liu Qi said in his opening speech at the Briefing: "By holding this Briefing we hope to strengthen our communication with the media, develop a better understanding of your needs and obtain your opinion and suggestions so as to improve our work and lay solid foundations for better media services and successful coverage of the Games".

The first two days were filled with a city venue tour, showing different Olympic and Paralympic venues, including the National Stadium ("Bird's Nest"), the Aquatics Centre ("Water Cube") and the Main Press Centre (MPC). Participants of the Briefing also had the opportunity to tour several cultural scenic spots, including the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City.

Today, BOCOG gave an overview of the planning process for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2008, including presentations about transportation, accommodation, venue services, MPC, press operations, competition schedule, venue media services, rate card, accreditation and technology. For the Paralympic Games, media hotels have already been identified and for the first time, media accreditation will be available electronically online. BOCOG also emphasized that transportation services during the Paralympic Games will be at the same level as for the Olympic Games, including accessible vehicles for spectators and media. Tomorrow, accommodation meetings and a briefing specifically for photographers will be held.

"The tour yesterday allowed the media to see how impressive some of the venues are and to appreciate the splendour of the National Stadium. They today have the opportunity to get an overview of BOCOG's operational planning and to ask questions. I am confident that BOCOG will take the media feedback into consideration to ensure that media will be able to work under the best possible conditions during the Games", stated Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and Communication Director, who is currently attending the meetings.

On 25 September, the IOC Press Commission, including IPC representative Alan Dickson, also met in Beijing to supervise a report on the preparatory work in media operations by BOCOG and to discuss the details related to media services to be provided at the Beijing 2008 Games.

(Credit: IPC. Click here for further information.)