Q: What do you think of the preparations for the Olympics?

A: I am very much pleased and impressed by the successful preparation of the Beijing Olympic Games. This is really fantastic, the most impressive that I have ever seen. I am quite confident that the Beijing Olympic Games will be the most successful Olympics in the history of the Olympic Games. I am very grateful to the Chinese people and the Government to make this great Olympic Games a success. The facilities and technologies all seem to be excellent and we have only 37 days to go before the Olympic Games' Opening Ceremony. I hope this Olympic Games will be the venue for all athletes and people of the world to promote their mutual understanding, harmony, reconciliation and friendship on the basis of fair competition. Let us work together so that the whole international community will become gold medalists through the Olympic Games, through demonstrating cooperation, friendship and mutual understanding.

Q: (inaudible question on the Secretary-General's participation)

A: Because of my unavoidable scheduling problems, I will not be able to participate. I regret it very much. But I will be watching the Games on television. I will be supporting it as much as I can to make this Olympic Games the most successful one ever.