(BEIJING, July 3) -- BOCOG President Liu Qi toured the sites of the Olympic venues on Tuesday, calling for excellent preparatory work and quality venues for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Making his first stop at the Wukesong Baseball Field, he saw a busy construction scene. In a report on the progress of the project, the staff told him that a firefighting truck is on standby at the site. Liu showed interest and praised the practice. "Safety should be put first and fire prevention is a top priority at the moment," he said.

At Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue, he inspected its construction and the work of the venue operation team. The venue covers a land of 2 hectares with a floor area of 3,399 square meters. Its main structure has been completed and the workers are laying the track. Liu asked them to pay attention to the quality of their work as the Olympic competitions demand high-tech venues.

Hearing that the score-keeping facilities at the Beijing Shooting Range Hall is among the most sophisticated in the world, Liu said careful tests must be done to ensure the safe operation of the systems.

The president said first-class Olympic venues are not only to meet the demand of the Olympic Games but also are the symbols of Beijing's development. He called on the constructors to inspire the public by their patriotism, spirit of unity and cooperation and to make efforts to build fine architectural projects of our times.

Liu also urged a sense of responsibility and urgency to speed up the construction and ensure excellent tail-up of the projects. He reminded all workers of the importance to put safety first. Preparations for the forthcoming "Good Luck Beijing" sports events need to be perfect to lay the foundation for the success of next year's Olympics, he added.