BEIJING (Olympic Test event) - Australian women's basketball head coach, Jan Stirling, has given Beijing the thumbs up after experiencing the Olympic city first hand during a test event.
The 'Australian Defence Force' Opals are currently in China contesting the 'Good Luck Beijing 2008' tournament against teams from the Unites States, Cuba, Korea, New Zealand and the host nation.
Australia faces Korea this evening and will be keen to avenge losses to China and Cuba after victory over the United States on Saturday.
Stirling said she was more than impressed by the Wukesong Culture and Sports Centre which acts as the Beijing Olympic Basketball Stadium.
"It's sensational," she said.
"Certainly from a staffing point of view I think China has all bases covered and all athletes are going to enjoy being involved in the Olympic Games at any of the venues from what we've seen.
"It's going to be an exciting time for these world class athletes.
"They [China] have left no stone unturned, as you would expect."
Low resolution images sent home for use on the Basketball Australia website even show blue skies and roads with no traffic.
After three games in consecutive days, the ADF Opals spent a rest day yesterday acting as ambassadors for Australia.
For any normal basketball clinic you will typically get one or two athletes to attend. The students of Western Academy in Beijing got a little extra when the entire ADF Opals team came through the doors.
And what an impact they had, judging by a letter sent to ADF Opals team manager Marian Stewart by the PE teacher of the Academy.
Stirling and the ADF Opals also benefitted from the experience in a secondary way. They got to see where they would do their recovery sessions in August.
"As Opals we were keen to do the clinic," head coach Jan Stirling said.
"It was really to share ideas and allow the kids a chance to meet some international athletes.
"But the Academy is also the recovery centre that is going to be used for the Beijing Olympics so we're getting a bit of a heads up on what is going to be available.
"The recovery centre in an Olympic campaign is really important to our group."
Tip off for Australia's game against Korea is at 6:45pm (EDT).
Basketball Australia
