Organisers of the Beijing Olympics enjoyed another solid year of preparations in 2005 as construction of sporting venues got into full swing and sponsors eagerly signed on for the high-profile event.

"There is no reason for any worry as far as we are concerned," the head of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) coordination commission for the 2008 Games, Hein Verbruggen, said during an inspection tour in November.

"We have been able to confirm the excellent efforts being made by BOCOG (the Beijing organising committee) and the Chinese authorities to ensure the sports competitions will be held in the best possible conditions."

Chinese and multinational firms also expressed their support with financial backing and, by years' end, the Games organisers had confirmed their 10 top "partners".

The 10 firms are the Bank of China, China Network, Sinopec, China National Petroleum Corporation, China Mobile, Volkswagen, Adidas, Johnson and Johnson, Air China and the People's Insurance Company of China.

Seven other second-tier sponsors -- United Parcel Service, Haier, SOHU, Yili, Tsingtao Beer, Yanjing Beer and BHP Billiton -- have also been designated.

The money-drive picked up steam in November when Beijing unveiled at a ceremony to mark 1,000 days before the start of the Games the five Olympic mascots.

In a nationally televised program from Tiananmen Square, the five cartoon characters -- a traditional Chinese doll, a panda bear, a Tibetan antelope, a Beijing swallow and a "fish child" -- were unveiled.

The names of the characters spell out "Beijing Welcomes You" in Chinese but, just as importantly for the organisers, the mascots are expected to generate more than $US200 million ($A274.73 million) in merchandising sales.

Aside from the stadia that are being built, China has allocated a reported $US35 billion ($A48.08 billion) in infrastructure spending for the Games, which is already being ploughed into such things as new roads, subways and airport terminals.

But while the "mechanical" side remained well on schedule, there were some murmurings of discontent among IOC members about Beijing's ability to actually run the venues and manage the Games.

"There is no doubt the Chinese have an awful lot to learn. What is not clear is how much they are taking in during our detailed discussions with them," said a member of the coordination commission during the 1,000-day ceremonies.

Part of the problem is caused by the secret decision making process in China, which is still a Communist country with an authoritarian regime despite its embracing of the capitalist system.

"At times you wonder if you are talking to the people who can actually take a decision," the commission member said.

Even BOCOG officials admit to major differences between themselves and the IOC.

"For us the 2008 Games are only the beginning in promoting the country. For the IOC their only concern is for the period of the Games. Not what happens to the country afterwards," a BOCOG official said privately.

"There is a certain wariness from senior officials within BOCOG to the IOC."

On the sports side, Chinese athletes are aiming to improve their second place finish in the medal table at Athens, where they finished just behind the United States with 32 gold medals to 35.

"For Chinese athletes to get exceptional results at the Beijing Olympics is not only an important aspect in holding a first-rate Olympic Games, but it will also fulfill the demands of the people for higher achievements (in bringing) glory to the nation," Sports Minister Liu Peng said.

Robert J. Saiget
AFP