Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said in Beijing on Friday the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, slated for Friday evening, would be an exceptional performance.

"I've been told it will be an extraordinary one. I'm waiting to see that. I have no doubt it would be an exceptional ceremony," said Frattini in an interview with Xinhua.

Frattini arrived in Beijing Thursday afternoon and visited the Italian Olympic delegation in the Olympic Village.

"They're very well motivated. They're ready to run and they're ready to compete at the highest level. I'm confident about the excellent performance of my compatriots," he said.

Frattini, who will leave Beijing after the opening ceremony. said, "I would be watching TV because I'm sure there would be perfect performances. I like diving. We Italians have a very good tradition of diving and we aim for medals."

Frattini was president of the Commission of Ski Schools and Coaches of the Italian Winter Sports Federation from 1996 to April 2007.

"We got 32 medals in the Athens Olympics and was ranked eighth in the medal list. I hope they perform better in Beijing," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)