(Beijing, January 11) At the opening of the 2011 National Conference for Sports Directors held in Beijing on January 11, Liu Peng, Minister in charge of the General Administration of Sport and President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, urged the Chinese sports community to be well prepared to meet the challenges at the London Olympic Games merely a year and a half away.

Liu pointed out that the year 2011 is an important, opening year of China's 12th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, and that it is also the last complete year for Olympic preparation ahead of London 2012. Scientific planing and overall arrangement, therefore, are needed for basic and long-term as well as strategic work to pave the way for the nation's further sports development. Speaking of the London Olympics, Liu said that pre-Olympic preparation will be a top priority this year, and the goal is to raise the overall competitive sports level to a new high. (Photos China Sports Online/Liu Yaru)

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