Seventh IOC/BOCOG press conference

BBC Radio

I'm just wondering if you can give me comments on the number of tickets scalpers operating around the venues also whether anybody who have gone to the venues with counterfeit tickets?

Wang Wei

I don't have the number of scalpers around the venues. As I told you before we have measures to prevent scalping. We adapted a technique for the Opening and the Closing ceremonies. It's very hard for scalping. Some people stole tickets and they were caught. For competition tickets, we have quotas for each person who buys tickets. That's somehow to some degree preventing this as well. We have legal measures implemented. Anybody who scalps will be punished by law. That's what we are doing. We have so far no confiscated tickets, not to mention any sales. Thank you.

BBC

But there are plenty of scalpers operating around the venues, including those people from abroad, Britain and America.

Wang Wei

I think they are being dealt with at the moment. That's all information I can give you.

Sweden reporter

I understand you had a meeting in the IOC regarding Ara Abrahamian, the Swedish wrestler today. I'm wondering what is being said about his bronze medal and the controversy yesterday. I wonder how the IOC sees the future of great roman wrestling as an Olympic sport?

Giselle Davies

A disciplinary procedure commenting on this case was going on. I don't have more information to give to you today. But once it reached its conclusion and meets recommendation then we will have. So that's being looked upon in this stage. In terms of any wider issues, that's always being done on first games of old sports and sporting activities and that needs to be looked into detail on what the federation will form in that process.

Beijing Youth Daily

In the past couple of days, the weather had hampered some of the events resulting in the delays but what will be the corresponding measures in terms of the ticketing for the spectators whose matches have been delayed. Can they watch the delayed matches or can they have the tickets refunded. If they want to watch the delayed matches and all the seats were full and if there will be more people than seats, what measures will be taken?

Wang Wei

It's too technical a question for me to address, I would refer you to the ticketing office for some of the matches including tennis which is a quite typical in this case. With the raining, the tennis matches will be suspended and delayed. But for second subsequent matches all the tickets have been sold out. Therefore, the spectators can't use previous ticket to watch the subsequent games and matches. The schedules will be reprogrammed and will have the tickets refunded. At all the venues, we have a very good refunding and ticket returning and coordination services whenever there is rain or rescheduling, we will broadcast it to the spectators and they can have the tickets refunded at the Bank of China outlets and have the payment refunded.

AP

You promised us now and a couple of days updates on the protests park. When will you tell us how many people applied and how many people have been granted permission to protest. Can you give us the details today and if not can you tell us when will you give us those details? Thank you.

Wang Wei

First of all, I did not promise to give you all the details today. I want to reiterate that this is BOCOG. BOCOG is not responsible for the protested parks. I did forward your requests to the relevant authorities. So far, I have not been informed about those statistics how many have applied and how many are approved. Still will convey the message to the relevant authorities. If you are willing, you can also contact them yourselves.

Kyodo News

Today some of the athletes of Japan visited Yasukuni Shrine. Today there will be a football match between Japan and China. How will the Chinese spectators respond to the Shrine visit? Yesterday the men's volleyball, whenever the Japanese team served, the audiences won't cheer Japanese athletes. Why so?

Wang Wei

It is an IOC/BOCOG press conference. we should focus on sports and the events in the competition. We shall refrain from political discussion. The Olympic Games is not a forum to have political issue discussed. That is my first point. From my view in the course of the competition, sometimes there are hissing from the spectators. It's normal and expected. BOCOG will encourage the spectators to cheer both teams. We are hosting it here in Beijing but we have also organized some events and activities including cheerleaders cheering both teams. Therefore, in general, I think the Japanese teams are very much welcome at the host venues. The Chinese spectators are very positive towards the Japanese athletes. I think the Japanese athletes can feel that themselves.

TVB

One of the colleagues asked about the ticketing issue. What measures do you have taken to resolve this issue? In Qinhuangdao, there was an explosion or bombing today. Is it in relation to the Games and will it have any impact on the Games?

Wang Wei

It is difficult to address your first issue. All the tickets have been sold out. We will be encouraging all the ticket holders to watch the matches themselves. If they don't want to go there, they should give the tickets to those who wanted to go. On one hand, the athletes will be very happy and there will be a very good ambience. On the other hand, we are also working on measures to mobilize the spectators to full the venue when there are empty seats. So far as Qinhuangdao was concerned, it took place on the 13th of August. It was an accident and experiment when the ventilation of the air conditioning system and two were killed with a number injured as well. It was an accident in the process of production operation, having nothing to do with the Olympic Games. Thank you.

ABC

You are well aware that there was a protest at the CCTV building this morning. What is your view on that? Do you think it's going to be a matter of time before there going to be protests inside the venues?

Wang Wei

I already took note of this from a BBC report on the issue of Tibetan independence. This is a very unwelcome and unacceptable activity in China. People from abroad don't really understand the whole Tibetan issue. Everybody in China knows that Tibet is an inalienable part of the territory of China. A small number of people wanted to split the territory and it's not going to work at all. For those who don't really understand the situation as well, I see that most of the people in the demonstrations are non Chinese and I would conclude that they really don't know very much about this situation. I don't think the media should encourage these kinds of behaviors. A very good Olympic ambience is a place where people come to make friends and to understand each other. It's only through mutual understanding that we can have peace in the world and have a better chance of solving some issues and not to stir up trouble. Thank you.

Sky News, London

It's a question about the condition for athletes particularly the distanced athletes. You look ahead 72 hours for the weather conditions. Does the IOC have any particular concern about this condition for distanced runners in particular the women's marathon this weekend?

Arne Ljungqvist

The information so far is very encouraging. The reason is that on several days we have very good air condition indeed. The measurements have established way below the WHO standards for clean cities and way below the entering targets that we've been talking about as the goal to achieve. In the first few days, you were around the entering targets, as I have mentioned, was at the critical level. There are no indications that there will be problems in the near future. Today you see that it's quite acceptable in every respect. We believe that we will prevail in the coming few days. This gives me an opportunity to mention I made a mistake earlier to mention that there are two doping cases up to now. They are of course three: the Spanish cycling case occurred earlier in the week, as we all know.

Reporter

Are we in the place that we are at in terms of the number of people that have been tested positive because the cheaters are one step ahead of the testers?

Arne Ljungqvist

We could debate on your last statement at length. I don't concur with it. The cheaters are not way ahead. I think quite many recent events have shown that we are rather on the heels of those who try to cheat. That has been the case over the last 5-6 years. The situation has been improved. My interpretation is that the fairly low number until now as we are halfway through the Games. As mentioned earlier, we have three cases will the IOC program. Mathematically it will adapt to 6-7-8 as what remains to be seen. My interpretation is that it is a feature in the increased awareness in the sports population that doping is unaccepted, unacceptable to compete in the Games if you dope yourselves. I feel that the figures are encouraging rather than anything else.

Japanese reporter

Earlier you mentioned that there were VIPs from overseas and you said you have to have a program in dealing with the VIPs. Did you have any specific issues or any challenges in that area?

Wang Wei

No, we don't have any issues or challenges. Actually there are so many dignitaries in one time, the host city wanted to pay great respect to the leaders. So we need to have good arrangements in terms of protocol, accommodation, security, everything in every aspect. It is a big job for the protocol people and for us as well. In the airport, there are a lot of charter planes and private planes are arriving, so a lot of work is added. It is the first time that China experienced that. That's it. Thank you.

AFP

I would like to ask professor what it makes of the comments of the opponents of the swimming coach yesterday that resulted to the Chinese woman in the 200 meters butterfly were quote not rational. Secondly, a general question for the IOC. Given the problems with the tennis scheduling that no one anticipated, how do you react to the side of the people being put in the court at 1 in the morning and appear to play catch up event with a lot of people posing this as a problem?

Arne Ljungqvist

The first question is very easy to respond. I don't think that officials should enter into speculation like that and to unfairly question achievements made by athletes here in Beijing. It is not a proper behavior to question that particular people who have official positions in the federation. Second question is really not for me to answer. We've all seen the problems that the tennis tournaments have faced. They have draw conclusion and possibly take measure for the future but that's not my specialty to comment about. It's for the IOC and the tennis federation to look into and gain experience about this. I believe it will be part of the debriefing procedures that will take place later.

Beijing Radio

We've already taken a lot of measures to try and prevent the athletes from doping but we still see examples of this. Do we have any other better ways to avoid or prevent this from happening?

Arne Ljungqvist

This is a very broad question indeed and probably difficult to explore fully in a situation or conference like this one.

There are several measures needed to be taken, not just control. That is part of the full anti-doping program which should include primarily information and education and that is what is being done, and hopefully being done all over the world and under the auspices of the national anti-doping agencies and the international federations. Those programs are for WADA to monitor and to provide the necessary background information in order to make it possible for the anti-doping organizations to give the right type of information and education. That is being done. I'm the first to accept the fact that the education programs all over the world are not so extensive earlier. Many countries has been inactive, maybe international federation has been inactive. It is only due to the last several years when WADA has been in place that more intense fight against doping have been taken place in terms of education, information and trying to obtain the right attitudes amongst the sports population. Control is just one, although an important part of the anti-doping activities.

Foreign reporter

Are you under restrictions yourself, Giselle, you are being very careful in all question, so that you don't upset your Chinese hosts?

Giselle Davies

Not at all. We don't expect perfect games. We expect games that are good for the athletes, good for the spectators, good for the media. And in terms of what we see operationally, that is what we are seeing, athletes have come back to us with really positive perspective of that they have seen on the field of play, the sports competition and venues and wide variety of stake holders also.

The sports competition and venues, yes there are some issues with regards to incidents with some non-accredited media. We certainly encourage more information to come back as much as possible. As I said yesterday, we wouldn't see that happening again. I think that is fully understood by our hosts. From the perspective from what we feel about this Games, we feel an excellent job is being done by the organizers operationally and organizationally and any wider questions on other aspects, I am happy to take them as they are straight, no problem.

AP

There is another issue about cheating which I think the IOC has tackled. That is about several allegations of gymnasts not actually being as old as they stage on their passports. There have been several incidents, three Chinese in that where their registration listed in previous years haven't gone to as much younger as they are in the current passport. Is there any way a scientific way where the IOC can check people's ages when do you agree that this is something that really needs to be tackled?

Arne Ljungqvist

This is a question that is tackled by several federations not only gymnastics. Some of you are aware of the federation, namely IF, did have age problems in events and age problem was proven. So this is a problem where you have an age limit. There is a temptation for manipulation. How to prove that is a scientifically very difficult. There are means and ways of establishing the age or the supposed age of that person but it is not absolutely scientifically correct and legally correct way to do it. It can be plus and minors one or two years. It can also be manipulated by the way that they take certain substances again. We do have a problem here. And for those sports that have an age limit, yes. It is being addressed. Some cases as I repeat have been discovered earlier in other sports. And I spoke yesterday to the medical officer of International Gymnastic Federation. They are aware of this problem or the potential problem. Not there saying the age has been manipulated or not. No. that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about the general problem that such federation faces. There is no reason here to believe that the age has been manipulated and we talked about that yesterday. And the general question is there and it was addressed and being addressed by gymnastic federation and other federation as well.

Sun Weide

I would like to remind you that you have to hand your microphone back to the volunteers after you asked the questions, I think there are lots of people here raising their hands. I hope they can ask questions too.

Japanese newspaper

Thank you very much. I would like to know about today's soccer game, which is to be held in Qinhuangdao. Today, you know, Japan and China, both teams are going to have games. I am asking about today is a day the anniversary of the end of the war. The last war. I want to talk, ask about the security. The security, is it the same or different from other games? Also, some reports say some explosive has been found the day before yesterday. Is it the explosion or just an accident? Do you have some information about this? Thank you.

Wang Wei

I don't think there is a need for another special securities for the football game to be held in Qinhuangdao between China and Japan I am sure the spectators will be friendly to both teams. So we can wait and see. With regards to the explosion in Qinhuangdao, I re-confirmed it was an accident in the operation in the manufacture. So there won't be any problems for the games. Thank you.

9 Network in Australia

Mr. Wang, can you give us any details of the protesters at the CCTV building this morning. It has been reported. Is there an Australian involved?

Wang Wei

I don't know if there is an Australian involved or not. And I don't know the details about it. As I told you before that Tibet is part of China, not only the whole Chinese know it but the whole world recognize it. Any free Tibet movement is not welcome here. It is not correct, legally speaking. I hope all the media will respect that and to provide friendship and peace in the world. Thank you.

AFP

In light of your last comment that Tibet is part of China, I mean in the media guide to the Opening Ceremony, you said that 25 different ethnical groups will be represented by children from the 25 ethnics, including the Tibetans. There was a report from Wall Street Journal today that says the Tibetan representatives and some other representatives are Han Chinese. Can I ask how that fit into the whole comment of Tibet is part of China?

Wang Wei

First let me correct your version in that. There are 56 ethnic groups in China, not 25. And so far, as what happened during the Opening Ceremony with the group of children dressed in ethnical robes, there were actresses and actors in the performance. In Chinese performances, it is rather normal and usual for actors and actress to be dressed in costumes from different ethnic groups, uniforms from different ethnic groups. It is typical for the Chinese performance. There is nothing special about it. They are not only for Tibetans but also for other ethnical groups, but also for Vigor and other ethnic groups. They are all the same.

AFP

Why did you say in your guide of the Opening Ceremony that they are from the different ethnic groups?

Wang Wei

I think you are being very meticulous. I won't argue with you. I do not know exactly where those children are from. But I would say the tradition in China in terms of giving performance, whenever there is a need to tell people that people are from different nationalities, from different groups, so they will wear different costumes to signify that people are friendly and happy together. That is all about it. Thank you.

Reporter from France

Two days ago, you said that you want to open the Olympic Park to a larger number of people. I would like to know what measures or plans are you taking or any guarantees have been provided to the sponsors and also the number of the people in the Olympic park today compared to in the past.

Wang Wei

I would like to say that more and more people are getting into the common domain of the Olympic Park. As for the measures taken, these measures include everybody registered and accredited can get into the park, for those cards with OCD stickers attached can go in too. Everybody with tickets for the day can go to the Olympic Park on that day. People from different communities, they can organize the group of people to go to the park. So as long as the person goes through the security check, they can go into the park even people in a free movement. I heard today from the authorities. I don't know if I am mistaken. They can still be allowed into the Olympic Park. That is all the measure taken. Thank you.

Xinhua News Agency

My question is for Professor Ljungqvist. First doping case was from cycling, so Tour de France and other cycling competitions, there has been a lot of doping scandals. So in response to such facts, will it have an impact on the part of the IOC on those individual sports if more cases are reported on doping concerning that sport?

Arne Ljungqvist

I understand your question. Such as the IOC will be expected to look into the state of cycling of the Olympic sports because many doping cases occurred in that sport over the last several years including this Olympics. This has been debated as you know. It has been clarified that the best way to support a sport with doping is not to leave it out but rather to help it. And what IOC and UCI are making joint effort trying to combine the doping in the sports of cycling and that is a joint work that is going on. We hope that we would be able to help sports of cycling. Most cyclists actually wish us to do that. We hope also the Olympic cycling will become a cleaner sport than cycling in general is today. I am hopeful for the sports in the future. But they had to take strong action and I think everyone realize that.

Channel 4 News

My question is to Giselle. I heard that you would like to give straight answer to straight question. So we will try again, shall we today? You said a few minutes back that there are no such things as perfect game. My straight question is this: where China has gone wrong with this Games?

Giselle Davies

People make their appraisal. You are here doing your job. Each one of you has made your appraisals. From where the IOC is standing, we believe that the Organizing Committee is doing an excellent job in hosting the Games. It is a sports event. It brings together 28 sports, 10,500 athletes, 20,000 media, and the spectators. And you are there enjoying the sports. I think you see a picture that shows that has been done technically excellently. All the stake holders and all the spectators are very happy with that.

Channel 4 News

So you don't have any criticisms? There must be some you said yourself, that no game is perfect.

Giselle Davies

I think a fully appraisal has been done at the end of the Olympic Games. We don't have criticisms right now. I think if you are asking appraisals outside sports. That is not our remit to do so. We are not qualified to do that. The world is invited here to make its own appraisal. I think that is clearly what you would do. And the world will look back after this Games is finished and take their perspectives. Of the course at the close of the Games, the IOC president will make his appraisal as how we feel it is gone. Today, here we are day 7. We feel very happy as how the sports are running, how the athletes are being welcome and how hosting of the Olympic Games as the sports event. That is what we shouldn't forget. It is going extremely well.

Daily Telegraph

I am from London Daily Telegraph. I want to go back to the air quality question. You said you have very encouraging results on that. There was ealier in the Games a website which was set up by Cambridge group, called Cambridge Environmental Research Consultancy. It operated jointly with the Ministry of Science and sponsored by the European Space Agency. That website was available to journalists who have password access. Unfortunately, continue to contradict, by a considerable distance, the data produced officially by the Chinese ministry, the website was taken down and the only reason given was that the Chinese officials didn't want it to be up there. My question is that when the website will be put back on air? My question to Giselle is that the kind of behavior acceptable to IOC and would the IOC be able to be critical of that?

Giselle Davies

I think you are talking about a website which is not one that we take on board as our analysis and statistics in terms of our work on air quality. When the IOC works with any organizers on the Olympic Games, be that in Sydney, be that in Athens, be that in London as we forward in the future, here in China we work with organizing committees as partners and we rely on the information that they gave us. We would also collaborate with the World Health Organization and as a fact of matter is that we work on that data. We are confident and comfortable with it. And the air quality speaks for itself because no complains from the athletes, no problems with any of the competition from air qualify perspective. That is the fact of the matter.

In terms of that specific website, it is not one that we recognized to use for the work on air quality. It is not where we get our information from. If you need it to do your job in terms of reporting here on the Olympic Games, that is certainly something that we would address on a number of occasions with our host the needs to have fully access as possible to do your job. If you specifically need access to this site to do your job as a journalist, we are happy to encourage that access to the website should be given to websites that you need.

Sun Weide

Thank you very much. Before the end of the press conference, the Olympics have been running very smoothly. We are planning to make some changes. In scheduling with press briefing, our next press conference will be held the day after tomorrow at 11:15 and of course in the mean time, we are always available on the news desk of the MPC. Thank you.