Beijing has received the letters of approval from all the 28 Olympic sports federations by this weekend, getting a boost to its bidding for the 2008 Games.

The Beijing bid committee said on Monday that the last three letters of approval, all of which were issued on December 22, came from the international federations of cycling, shooting and rowing.

Starting from mid October, the officials from 25 federations have visited Beijing, making sure if the city has been technically capable to host the Games.

The world ruling bodies of football and weightlifting have issued the letters after studying the documents provided by Beijing.

The taekwondo federation gave its approval in the same way although they won't inspect the city until Thursday.

Beijing, along with Paris, Toronto, Osaka and Istanbul, has been short-listed for the 2008 Games. The International Olympic Committee will make the final decision in Moscow in July.

(Xinhua 12/25/2000)