(BEIJING, October 25) -- The National Grand Theater is so splendid that it is simply beyond words, Hein Verbruggen and Sir Philip Craven remarked Wednesday on a tour inside the theater.

Verbruggen, chairman of the Coordination Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, and Sir Philip, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), were here to attend the ninth plenary session of the coordination commission.

Verbruggen was amazed by the design of the waterscape on the roof of the theater. Beyond the north gate is a 80-meter-long underwater corridor, the ceiling of which is made of glass. On top, there is running water from the pool that circles the structure.

The two also enjoyed music produced from a giant 6,500-pipe organ in the concert hall and the formation of the rotating stage in the drama hall. In the opera house, they expressed a desire to watch a Peking Opera performance there.

In the public area of the theater, the dazzling stones caught Sir Philip's eyes. Having heard that these were precious stones from different areas of China, he said he liked the patterns and the colorful stones. "Very special," he said.

Verbruggen, excitied by the tour, hopes to visit this charming structure again before the start of the Olympic Games.