The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic GamesAugust 8-24 2008
(BEIJING, August 24) -- One scene caught special attention at the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics: Four newly elected members of the IOC Athletes' Commission presented bouquets of flowers to 12 volunteers to express respect for the services provided by a large contingent of volunteers working for the Games. The scene was unprecedented in the history of the Olympic Games.
Volunteers, the face of Beijing during the Games, displayed enthusiasm and friendship to foreign guests, provided them with considerate services and left them with favorable impressions of Beijing, thus winning praise from IOC members, VIPs, athletes and journalists. For that reason, the IOC decided to include flower presentation to volunteers in the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Games.
The 12 awardees represented Games-time volunteers, city volunteers and other service sectors. They are from China and other countries, from Beijing and other provinces, volunteering in every aspect of society to meet the needs of the Games.
