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Norwegian International Olympic Committee member Gerhard
Heiberg said on Thursday the Olympics this year could capture the title of most
successful games ever.
Heiberg's views carry some weight considering he was head of the organizing committee of the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics held in his native Norway before joining the IOC in 1994.
Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch said Lillehammer was "the best Winter Games ever" in his speech at the closing ceremony in 1994.
"So far, Beijing has been terrific," Heiberg told the Norwegian news agency NTB.
Heiberg said the IOC was very pleased with the organization and ""so far everything has been almost perfect. Lillehammer faces tough competition," NTB reported.
"Beijing has the best arenas in the world. The opening ceremony was fantastic. Transports have worked 100 per cent and the volunteers that number 75,000 are professional," Heiberg said.
Heiberg - the IOC marketing chief - said it was likely that the organizers of the 2012 London Games have started to ponder how they can possibly "match" Beijing.
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