Tony Blair called on campaigners not to mix up politics with the Olympic Games as excitement grew before the start of the XXIXth Olympiad.

The former British Prime Minister said that their political points people are perfectly justified in making them but that "the games have got to be about the Olympics itself."

In an interview with ITV News in Beijing on his third visit to China this year, Mr Blair said that the economic and political power of China is only set to grow.

"I think if we have the right attitude of partnership and if we try to partner China in its development economically and politically we'll find them a friend," he added.

Mr Blair said that it was important to maintain a dialogue with China and continue to raise issues with the leadership and encourage them in the right way for political development for the future but "we also have to recognise that they have a very particular set of circumstances here and they are trying to manage this huge economic change in a way that allows their prosperity to grow with their stability."

Mr Blair also said it was important for the UK to support the Olympics as a fantastic sporting event since London will host the 2012 Games.

"I think it's very important that we establish that principal," he said.

You can watch Tony Blair's interview with ITV's John Ray HERE

You can follow the Olympics at the official Beijing 2008 site HERE