The accreditation process for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by
the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad
(BOCOG) has begun and the deadline for the return of forms is
February 29, organizers said.
"The BOCOG has begun distributing press application forms and
accreditation guides to the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and
accredited organizations," Yang Minghui, deputy director of the
BOCOG's accreditation center, said.
"According to Olympic charter regulations, holders of valid
Olympic or Paralympic Identity and Accreditation Cards (OIACs) can
use them, in combination with a valid passport or travel document,
to enter and exit the host country," he said.
OIAC holders are permitted to remain in the host country to
carry out their duties during the Olympic and Paralympics and for
one month before and after. In other words, an OIAC can be used as
a temporary visa, Yang said.
But he said the identity cards could not be used as free tickets
to events.
"The OIAC is a working credential for carrying out duties during
the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but it is not a free ticket. Only
those who have reserved seating authorization will be permitted
inside the venues to watch events."
It is estimated there will be 21,600 accredited writers,
photographers and broadcasters during the Olympic and Paralympic
Games.
All press members must be nominated by an International Olympic
Committee, NOC or International Sports Federation to achieve
accreditation. Applications from individuals will not be accepted,
Yang said.
(China Daily November 29, 2007)