"I have never seen such beautiful Olympic Village," head of the Swiss Olympic delegation Werner Augsburger said on Monday.

In an interview with a Swiss TV station, Augsburger, who attended the Sydney and the Athens Olympics, lavished praise on the Olympic Village in Beijing. "The Village is very charming, with trees and lawns everywhere and lots of gathering places for the athletes," he said.

He also praised the warm reception by the local people, saying that everyone seems ready to help.

The Swiss athletes will take part in 17 different Olympic sport events.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2008)