The Chairman of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the 2008 Games, Hein Verbruggen, said today Beijing “proved to be the right choice”.

In response to criticism of China’s human rights record he said, “I am more convinced than ever that the Games have and will prove to be a positive catalyst for change in China. Let's remember that the Olympic Games remained fundamentally a force for good and a catalyst for collaboration and change”.

He was supported by the IOC President Jacques Rogge who repeated his declaration that “Beijing was truly a remarkable Games”.

Verbruggen also led the Coordination Commission which was responsible for overseeing the Beijing preparations.

“I award the gold medal for friendliness to the Chinese people” he said. "Awarding the Games to China and allowing the Chinese citizens to welcome the world was the best path to continued dialogue between cultures and civilizations, building cultural bridges will remain one of the most valuable legacies of these Games,” he said.

Verbruggen described Beijing as a “unique” event and suggested subsequent host cities London and Rio should not try and match them for “size and grandeur”.

No one could match the size and investment of China’s Games he said.

Mike Tancred – AOC
Copenhagen