The "Good Luck Beijing" 2007 Canoe/Kayak Slalom Open drew its curtain today at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.

Xin Qunying, vice director of the venue committee of the tournament and deputy director of the Water Sports Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sport, praised the organizers' efforts which helped contribute to the great success of the event.

Xin said: "First, the venue is good. Officials like the IOC President, President of the IOC Coordination Commission for Beijing 2008, and the International Rowing Federation (FISA) President all said the venue is first-class which is eligible for hosting the Olympic Games and World Championships and enables the athletes to showcase their skills."

He also acclaimed the close operation of the 23 related departments, saying "Every department attached great importance to the test event and cooperate with one another in different fields from guest reception, accommodation, competition to sending off, all pretty successful."

Both the 2007 World Rowing Junior Championships and the 2007 Canoe/Kayak Slalom Open have received the inspection delegation from the IOC, and the organizational work of the two events have been praised by the International Rowing Federation (FISA) and International Canoe Federation (IOF), governing bodies of the sports, and the Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee (BOCOG), recalled Xin, adding that the BOCOG had sent a message of congratulation the day before.

Speaking of next year's Olympic Games, Xin said with the problems discovered from these events they will further improve their work in various aspects so as to get themselves full prepared for the Beijing Games in the coming days.