SARS Postpones Two Olympics Promos in Beijing

May 14, 2003
BY CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

BEIJING (AP)—  Beijing Olympics organizers have postponed two promotional events due to SARS, but insist that construction and other preparations are on schedule.

An Olympics Culture Festival and a ceremony to unveil the 2008 Summer Games logo, both originally scheduled for June, had been postponed, organizers said Wednesday.

"We hope that when the time is right and conditions permit, we can carry out these two extremely meaningful activities and achieve the desired aim," a prepared statement quoted committee spokesman Sun Weijia as saying.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome has killed at least 267 people on China's mainland and sickened more than 5,100, accounting for the bulk of the global toll of 588 deaths and more than 7,500 infected.

SARS has forced the cancellation or relocation of several sports events planned for China, among them the women's soccer World Cup and the women's ice hockey World Championships.

The cancelations have deprived China of opportunities to practice hosting major international sports events, though the impact is expected to be limited if disease-fighting efforts succeed.

Work on the Beijing Olympic stadium, aquatic center, and two other major facilities is still scheduled to begin by the end of the year, the organizers said.

"At present all categories of Olympic Planning Committee work are proceeding according to schedule," the statement said.

The organizers said they were following government-imposed rules against large gatherings that might allow the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Beijing has already ordered the closure of cinemas and other entertainment sites. Travel restrictions have been imposed nationwide to curb the spread of SARS.

Winning the right to stage the 2008 Summer Games was a source of national pride for China, and officials have repeatedly said they will spare no expense to make the games a success.

Facilities are due to be ready by 2006.

Sun said the Beijing organizers have reduced face-to-face contacts with International Olympic Committee officials in line with World Health Organization recommendations.

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