Source: CCTV.com

The president of the Japanese Olympic Committee says China is able to hold a successful Olympics while rebuilding its quake-hit areas.

Tsu-ne-kazu Takeda heading a Japanese Olympic
Committee delegation, which is in China to raise funds
for the Sichuan quake zone.

Tsu-ne-kazu Takeda made the remarks in Beijing on Wednesday. He's heading a Japanese Olympic Committee delegation, which is in China to raise funds for the Sichuan quake zone.

Takeda says the Japanese athletes are now racing against time to practice for the Games. Over 350 athletes will represent Japan in events including track and field, swimming, and gymnastics.

Takeda is cautiously upbeat about his country's Olympic ambitions. He says Japan won 16 gold metals and 37 silver medals in Athens. That's the best result the country has achieved in Olympic history. But he notes that it is difficult for Japanese athletes to surpass what they gained in 2004.