French praise Olympic plans, but question overall spirit

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2006

BEIJING (AFP) — Top French sports officials have joined in the chorus of praise for Beijing's Olympic preparations, yet also questioned if the gleaming stadiums will be enough to guarantee a great games in 2008. More than 30 head coaches from French sports federations competing in Beijing, as well as French government and Olympic committee officials, spent three days touring Olympic facilities and talking to Chinese organizers.

"These are high quality people we are dealing with," said Pierre Guichard, a director of France's National Olympic Committee. But there is more to an Olympics that the quality of the staff and the facilities, said Fabien Canu, a director of the committee preparing French athletes for the 2008 Games. "The challenge for the Chinese is what goes on...