PARIS (AP) – The IOC entered the final leg of its Paris tour Saturday with visits to the suburbs and a ride on the Metro to appraise public transit in the city’s bid to host the 2012 Olympics.

“I’d like to point out the quality of the Paris dossier,” IOC panel chairwoman Nawal el Moutawakel said. “I can tell you our visit was very, very productive.”

French authorities have touted a range of reasons why the games should go to the French capital – infrastructure, terrorism prevention and landmark sites such as the Eiffel Tower. The International Olympic Committee representatives on Friday attended a dinner hosted by President Jacques Chirac at the presidential palace.

The IOC members took public transportation for the first time during their four-day visit, riding the subway to the Bercy arena that would host volleyball.

Saturday marked the first time the panel met with reporters since arriving in Paris. El Moutawakel traveled to Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines where a proposed cycling track would go up. Other panel members went to Vaires-sur-Marne, which would host sailing and canoeing, and Colombes, where baseball would be played.

The IOC panel has toured Madrid, London and New York, and will make its last stop next week in Moscow. The full IOC selects the host city in Singapore on July 6.

“There are five very, very serious competitors of great quality, that are facing off,” El Moutawakel said. “But at the end of the race, there will be only one winner.”

A protest was called for Saturday by environmentalists angry over plans to build a 15,000-seat arena for judo and badminton in the lush Bois de Boulogne park on Paris’ western edge. About 2.3 acres of wooded area would be destroyed. After the games, the dome would become an extension of the Roland Garros tennis complex.

The IOC representatives visited the site Thursday, and four IOC representatives met with protesters Friday.

“They are interested in what we have to say, seeing as Paris’ candidacy is to have an ecological games,” said Marc Ambroise-Rendu, president of the Ile de France environment group.

Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin made a presentation of Paris’ ability to secure the city – with 41,000 police officers, armed police and soldiers, as well as 5,700 fire and rescue workers.

“France has the means and the experience so that everyone, spectators and athletes, can take part in this festival in total safety,” the minister said.

Paris says it can combat terrorism because of its previous experience. It was targeted by Algerian terrorists in the mid-1990s.

Paris Police Chief Pierre Mutz gave further assurances Saturday, saying a new “Olympic law” for increased security would be proposed to French parliament if Paris gets the games.

Mutz also said Paris would receive support from police forces around the country to “control security threats” and a thorough “surveillance program” would monitor the potential terror threat.

The French are “ready” to host the games, Chirac said in welcoming the IOC to the ornate palace.

Paris, Olympic host in 1900 and 1924, is making its third bid in 20 years after failed attempts for the 1992 and 2008 games.

Sports Minister Jean-Francois Lamour promised that France’s anti-doping agency “will be a leader in the fight against drugs.”

The IOC team leaves Paris on Sunday, heading to Moscow on the last leg of its five-city tour.

AP-ES-03-12-05 1541EST