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Full transcript of interview with Rogge(BOCOG)Updated: 2006-11-01 16:19 Q: Talking about the grass root participation in sports, and that is one of the things the IOC has pushed very hard, and this time in 2008, we'll start an interesting program, you've probably heard, the China Olympic Coxswain Competition. How do you like that? A: I like it because the youth is the future of mankind, the youth is the future of sport. Our responsibility is to make sure that young people are attracted by physical activity and they will find joy and health in sport. And you have to help them to get access to sport and to educate them in true Olympic spirit of fair play, of good behavior and of friendship. Q: Actually the producer of this program is my friend. The other day he boasted to me: Just imagine 1.3 billion Chinese are looking for one or two positions in the Olympic Games, everybody, just ordinary people can make their dreams realized, maybe on the boat as a coxswain, in 2008, just appearing in front of the whole world. A: Yes, it is a challenge, but at the same time it is an opportunity. This is a very good idea. Q: The IOC and you have suggested two important things for Beijing Olympic Games: People's Participation and new environmental standards. You know that Beijing has set goals for its own Olympic Games, like a healthy, humane and green Olympics. Is this hard to realize? A: It is hard to realize, because the environment is very fragile and everyone realizes on earth that environment can be destroyed quite easily so we have to protect nature, we have to protect the earth, we have to protect the environment where we live. This is not only the problem of Beijing, this is the problem of all the countries in the world. We have to make sure that the future for our children is a better future and environment than ours. Q: So that is why people in Beijing are looking for, even in hotels, the quality of water, the paper used, if it is recycled, and many details. Does IOC look for details like this, for each Games? A: We are not looking for details, we are looking for cooperation with the organizing committees, with authorities of the countries where the Games are held and we are looking for measures that we protect the environment, make sure that these measure are not only there for 16 days -- this is the duration of the Games -- they are there for the future and for the future generations. Q: The Olympic Games have set a limit or goal to constrain its cost and scope, for instance, 28 sport items and no more than 10,500 athletes, why? Because the bigger the better. A: No, the bigger is not the better, because today the Games are affordable by major countries like China, by big cities. If we don't take care on the costs, on the magnitude of the Games, then only the rich countries will be able to organize. And we want the Games to be disseminated around the earth, we want the Games one day to be organized by Africa, Latin America, and if we make the Games too complicated, too costly, this will not be possible. Q: Was that the reason why in the Salt Lake Olympic Games your chose to live in the Athletes' Village rather than in a five-star hotel? A: I started the Olympic Movement in the Village as an athlete and I started my active career after three Olympic Games when I became a team leader of the Belgium team and I stayed in the Village too. The Village is a nicest place than any other big city because this is the place where you have athletes of ethnic origins of different languages. Cultures, political systems, religions and beliefs, and they live peacefully and harmoniously together, and this atmosphere is something that I've never been able to explain to people who have never been there. I have the privilege of being there and I want to go back because this is my root. Q: I guess in 2008 you are still living in the Athletes' Village. A: Yes I'll be in the Village.
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