The Main Press Centre (MPC) is the central work place for the 5,600 accredited journalists and photographers covering the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and provides 24-hour services for the duration of the Games. The MPC team is committed to not only providing a highly efficient, secure and comfortable working environment for the accredited press, but also leaving overseas visitors with a lasting impression of the unique culture of the host city.

With 62,000 square meters of working space, the MPC is the biggest press centre in Olympic history. It is located to the west of the Olympic Green and within walking distance of the Olympic Village, the National Stadium, the National Aquatic Center and the National Indoor Stadium and is very close to other competition venues within the Olympic Green

The MPC consists of four floors, with functional areas on each floor connected by the Main Street. The arrangement of the functional areas is designed according to the needs of the press. Thirty escalators and elevators connect the floors to ensure convenient flows.

During the Olympic Games, IOC Media Operations and BOCOG’s Press Operations Headquarters are based in the MPC. The headquarters of Olympic News Service is also here.

There is one three-star hotel and one five-star hotel within the MPC complex, providing convenient accommodation for about 800 accredited journalists and photographers.

The MPC will continue to operate during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Key Timeline of MPC

Preparation Stage:Before July,2008

Soft opening:July 8^th,2008-July 23^rd,2008

Lockdown:July 24^th,2008

24-hour Operations:July 25^th,2008-August 27^th,2008

Transition Period: August 28^th,2008-September 1^st,2008

Paralympic Games operations: August 28^th,2008-September 1^st,2008

Bump-out:September 30^th,2008

The MPC incorporates the Main Lobby, Main Press Workroom, Photo Work Room, Kodak Image Center, Press Conference Area, private offices and Media catering area.

The Main Lobby is located at the north part of Level (1).

It provides the accredited journalists with overall information and various retail services.

The information, help and service desks include:

 The Main Help Desk

‚ Language Help Desk

ƒ Newsdesk

„ Paralympics Information Office

… The Exhibition Hall of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

† Marketing Communication Office

‡ Transportation & Accommodation Desk

ˆ Express Parcel Service and Post Service Offices

ˆ Flight Service and Travel Service Offices

Š Bank

„ Internet Café

„ Medical Service

l The Commercial Outlets:

 ATM

 Newsstand

 Café

 General Store

 Olympic Store

 Dry Cleaning Services

 Fixed Telecommunication Customer Service Centre

 Mobile Telecommunication Customer Service Centre

 Mobile Telecommunication Terminal Customer Service Centre

 High-Definition TV signal Display

 Travel Agency

 Kodak Express

 Pharmacy

The Main Press Workroom is located on Level (1). It is the common work area for the Press and covers 4,435 m² with 971 workstations and 90 INFO 2008 terminals. Seating in the Main Press Workroom is unassigned and available on a first come first served basis.

The Main Press Workroom also features 3 video walls, 34 CATV monitors, 680 Desktop pay phones, including 291 linked with 5 -digit Olympic network, and 500 lockers.

Main Press Workroom facilities include:

 Main Press Workroom Help Desk

‚ Copy /Fax Centre

ƒ Results Printing and Distribution Centre

„ Media Lounge

… Library

† Gym

ˆ Hairdresser

All photo services will be located on the Level (-1). Inside the area there are the Photo Work Area and the Kodak Imaging Center. The facility will provide accredited photographers with complimentary services such as Kodak film processing, digital image editing and transmission. The Photo Work Area provides 207 working positions, equipped with paid phones and Internet access.

The MPC will host many press conferences throughout the Games. These will be held by the IOC, BOCOG, the IFs and NOCs, as well as some representatives from more than 10,000 athletes participating in the Games. A joint IOC-BOCOG press briefing will take place every morning during the Games.

A suite of five press conference rooms has been provided on the Level (2). The main hall has 800 seats and will provide simultaneous interpretation in eight different languages, as needed. All official IOC-BOCOG press conferences will be conducted in a minimum of English, French, Chinese, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean and Russian.

Another press conference room, named Orchid accommodating 200 seats will be used for NOCs and IFs’ press conferences. Consecutive interpretation of eight languages will be provided, including Chinese, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Russian.

And three smaller rooms, named Bamboo, Chrysanthemum and Pine, providing 80-seat each will be mainly used for NOCs, sports delegation, sponsors’ conferences. Private Interviews can also be held here.

The rental space is one of the key operational areas of the Main Press Centre during the games time, it serves as the headquarters for the leading news organizations of the world.More than 10,000 m² of space are provided to allocate 111 private offices for 145 international and national news agencies, newspapers and magazines, National Olympic Committees and Games Organizing Committees, from 22 countries and regions.

The private offices will be built of temporary partitions according to the specifications of the renting agency. Space is rented in modules of 25 square meters. Power points and equipment can be available through the Rate Card. A variety of food and beverages will be available 24 hours a day in the MPC with limited service beginning on 8 July to 23, and continuing until 24 August. The Media Food Court on the Level (-1) will be the focal point and will provide a changing menu of international cuisine.