COLOGNE, Germany, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- " I await the (Beijing Olympics) opening ceremony with great excitement and enthusiasm!" Fritz Schramma, mayor of Cologne, told Xinhua Friday in an exclusive interview.

    The mayor of the western German city, which is a sister city of Beijing, said he would watch the opening ceremony of the 29th Olympic Games on TV.

    "Unfortunately, I am busy with important appointments all day, including preparations for my trip to Beijing, but my press department will record the ceremony and I will watch it later tonight," he said.

    A total of 42 athletes from Cologne and its surrounding areas will take part in the Beijing Games. They include several medal hopefuls like world fencing champion Britta Heidemann, judoka Anna von Harnier and the national men's and women's hockey teams.

    "Last week, I welcomed Britta Heidemann at the town hall, and appointed her 'ambassadress of the city of Cologne' during the Beijing Olympic Games," said Schramma.

    He is scheduled to leave for China Saturday afternoon to attend the Games.

    "I will watch the fencing contest in Beijing and keep my fingers crossed for our ambassadress - she stands for all the other athletes from Cologne," the mayor said.

    An ardent sports fan, Schramma is especially interested in soccer.

    "I hardly ever miss any match of our local football club, 1. FC Koeln, and of course the German soccer team," he said.

    Though the Games have barely started, Schramma has already planned a welcome ceremony for athletes returning from Beijing.

    "In honor of the successful athletes, there will be a ceremony at the town hall and a formal dinner. I will invite the participants of the 2008 Olympic Games to sign a book in honor of the city of Cologne," he said.

    Schramma, who has visited China several times, said he enjoys Chinese food, especially Beijing Duck and seafood, adding that he "deeply appreciates the hospitality of the Chinese people."

    There are 170 Chinese commercial enterprises and trading companies in Cologne, making it China's third largest partner among German cities.

    "During the Olympic Games, the eyes of the world are on China," he said, praising Beijing's preparations for the event.

    "Our sister city did a great job - numerous architectural highlights are to be found in Beijing. Infrastructure construction over the past few years has been very impressive. I congratulate the people of our sister city Beijing for these magnificent achievements," said Schramma.

    "I hope China will take the chance to show itself at its best - the whole world will be watching. I wish Beijing a joyful and peaceful time during the Olympic Games!"