Special report:   2008 Olympic Games

    RIO DE JANEIRO, July 23 (Xinhua) -- United States Olympic Committee (USOC) official Steve Roush said on Monday he is confident that organizers of the 2008 Olympic Games could successfully address problems like air pollution and traffic congestions.

    "Those two areas continue to be a concern to me. But I've also seen where they have addressed. I think, they have improved to the level that it won't have negative impact on the Games," Roush told Xinhua.

    Roush said that he used to be worried about the environment and traffic in Beijing, but a traffic plan carried out last November in the Chinese capital quashed his concerns.

    Last November Beijing imposed a six-day ban on at least 490,000 government vehicles and advised private drivers to take buses to make way for a summit meeting between Chinese and African leaders. Traffic was surprisingly easy even in the busiest areas during the week and citizens were treated to blue skies.

    "Blue sky, beautiful weather and very little traffic. I was very impressed," said Roush.

    Roush, who has visited China for 15 times, spoke highly of the venues that Beijing is building for the 2008 Games.

    "I am very impressed with the quality of the venues and facilities. They are spectacular. No one will be complaining about the venues," he said.

    "It will be a challenge for London (2012) and others to try to be better."

    Roush added that the fact that many competition venues are located in the Olympic Green is good news to the athletes.

    "It is compact so that it allows the athletes to move to venues from the village with minimal transportation, which is always nice," he said.