International Olympic Committee attaches special importance to International Youth Games in Moscow

The representatives of the International Olympic Committee attach special importance to the International Youth Games in Moscow, said mayor Yuri Luzhkov.

IOC president Jacques Rogge arrives in Moscow on Friday and will stay in the Russian capital till June 14.

Rogge will examine the hotel complex Izmaylovo where the Olympic settlement is situated, as well as a number of sport objects where the competition will be held, said Luzhkov.

At the last press conference before the beginning of the Games, their organizers stressed that these games were not a repetition of the World Youth Games that had been held only once in 1998 in Moscow.

The International Youth Games have now received the status of a regular competition. Mexico and Belarus have already nominated for holding them in 2005.

The competition starts on June 15.