At 10:00 a.m. January 17, the 596-page Candidature File of Beijing was finally submitted to IOC by the messengers headed by Wang Wei, secretary-general of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee (BOBICO).

A brief Hand-over Ceremony was held in front of the portrait of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Games.

The concerned official with IOC was quite satisfied with Beijing's file and guaranty and highly praised the unique style of the Candidature File. The ceremony proceeded in a friendly and joyful atmosphere.

Afterwards, Wang Wei and Sun Daguang, a responsible member of the office for compiling Candidature File and deputy secretary-general of BOBICO, were interviewed by reporters. Wang said that the nearly 600-page document was the crystallization of the BOBICO's fourth months' hard work, During the period, the Beijing committee received support from various social circles and central government departments. He quoted Beijing Party committee secretary Jia Qinglin as saying that the candidature file is a valuable wealth which will be of great help to Beijing's future work

During the interview, Wang said with excitement that he had a sense of mission when he handed in the document, on behalf of Beijing citizens, to the IOC. He added that having taken the first step, BOBICO was faced with harsher challenges and it had been prepared to greet IOC's appraisal to be made this coming February.

(People's Daily 01/18/01)