Both parties sign the MOU

(BEIJING, November 7)-- The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have reached an agreement on detailed issues relating to basketball competitions of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, including the receptions. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding here on Wednesday.

Yang Shu'an, BOCOG executive vice-president, and Patrick Bauman, FIBA secretary-general, signed the MOU on behalf of BOCOG and FIBA, respectively. On many occasions before the MOU, the two sides had exchanged views on the preparatory work for the Olympic basketball competitions.

At Wednesday's meeting, Bauman was also briefed on the latest progress of the preparations from the Olympic basketball competition team.

Yang (L) and Bauman (R) shake hands after the signing of the MOU.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, the FIBA delegates, led by Bauman, visited the Wukesong Indoor Stadium -- the competition venue for basketball tournaments for men and women during the Olympics -- as well as some four training facilities in Beijing.

"Wukesong will offer a splendid home for basketball during the 2008 Olympics," said Baumann.

FIBA Sports Director Lubomir Kotleba, who was among the delegation, was very satisfied with the high standard of the facilities. "The training sites are of outstanding quality. We could even play some of our top world competitions there."