Beijing Olympic organizers on Thursday briefed a group of International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials on the progress of the city's preparations for the 2008 Games.

Liu Qi, President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG), told the 14-member IOC's Coordination Commission that Chinese President Hu Jintao last month instructed the Beijing municipal government to endeavor to make the 2008 Games a success.

"President Hu ordered us to learn from Athens' successful experience of hosting the 2004 Olympics and keep complete compliance with the timetable for our preparatory work," Liu said.

"It demonstrates the consistency of central government's support and importance attached to the 2008 Games," he added.

In August, Beijing Olympic organizers sent a 100-plus delegation to Athens in a bid to get first-hand information of hosting Olympic Games, the world's largest sporting event.

Liu said the Athens Games was really thought-provoking to the Beijing organizers.

"In view of Athens' practice, we are mulling to change the locality of four venues planned for the 2008 Olympics," said Liu.

"But, of course, we need to get the nods from the IOC and the related International Federations," he added.

Keeping the principle of frugality in mind, Beijing halted the construction work on several Olympic venues in August amid a nationwide drive to cut down on "white elephant" projects. It was part of the central government's efforts to prevent the economy from overheating.

Despite the suspension, Liu assured the IOC inspectors that all venues would be ready "early enough" so that test events could be held a year before the Beijing games.

The three-day IOC Coordination Commission meeting starting here as of Wednesday will be followed this weekend by a high-profile visit by IOC President Jacques Rogge.

Also taking place in the Chinese capital will be the official transfer of knowledge meeting between Athens organizers and their Beijing counterparts.