New Zealand Olympic team chef de mission Dave Currie praised Beijing Olympic village here on Monday, and play down the concerns over the air quality of Beijing.

"Whatever thing (in the village) is good, and the detail of the village is extraordinary," Currie told a press conference on Monday morning.

Currie has been in the Chinese capital since July 19, in charge of setting up New Zealand's Olympic base in the village. He said the village was "very functional" and "operated well" and he was very pleased to work with the Chinese counterparts in the village.

"The room is big and it only took us two hours from the airport to the dining hall, which is extraordinary," Currie said.

Cycling hero Sarah Ulmer who became the individual pursuit champion at the Athens velodrome in 2004, said the village is "incredible", "awesome", and "amazing".

Compared with her experience in Athens four years ago, the New Zealand's best-known sportswoman joked that when she finished the race and was about to leave the Athens' village, the workers were still busy with laying out grass, while in Beijing, flowers and grass have already beautifully decorated everywhere.

The 66-hectare compound, which is about 20 minutes' walk northwest of the Games' two centerpiece venues - the Bird's Nest stadium and aquatic venue Water Cube. The sprawling complex houses about 16,000 athletes, coaches and their entourage coming for the Olympics.

The total of 42 apartment buildings in the village was built with energy saving technologies, water recycling system, environmentally friendly construction materials and solar-powered lighting. Some of the apartments have been sold out as up-scale residences.

Diversified meals, along with customized beds, space for religious masses and entertainment facilities, are part of the efforts to provide comfortable stay for the athletes.

Other services like chances of learning the Chinese language and watching Chinese cultural performances are expected to add colors to their Olympic experience.

Currie, a six-time visitor to Beijing, also dismissed the concerns over the air quality in Beijing. He wrote in his blog that the air in Beijing has been fresh and there does not seem to be a problem. He said since his arrival he has enjoyed blue sky, fresh air and a sunset.

"The air here is generally nice", Currie told reporters.

New Zealand has sent one of its biggest delegations ever to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games -- some 180 athletes and 120 coaches and managers. It will be the 16th largest team in terms of members during the Beijing Olympics.

Boasting advantages in rowing, sailing, equestrian, triathlon, track and field, and swimming, the Kiwi athletes grabbed three gold and two silver medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2008)