Beijing 2008 Olympic Youth Campers bid farewell at closing ceremony

(BEIJING, August 17) -- The 12-day Beijing 2008 Olympic Youth Camp closed on August 17. All 479 members will leave Beijing for home in two days.

At 8:00 p.m., the closing ceremony was held at Beijing No. 101 Middle School. Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice-president of BOCOG, Zhao Dongming, director of Cultural Activities Department, Liu Jian, director of the Volunteer Department and ambassadors of more than 30 nations were present at the ceremony.

Each camper was presented with special gifts to commemorate their experience in Beijing, including special stamp albums and stone seals carved by famous Chinese artist Zhang Guowei. The seals are 2x2x10cm in size; one end is carved with images of lucky clouds and a dragon, and the other end is carved with the camper's name in Chinese.

Wang Yue, director of OYC, presented Beijing 2008 Olympic Youth Camp certificates to the campers. On the cover of the numbered certificates are printed the names of each OYC member, and each certificate contains a group photo of the certificate holder's team.

At the closing ceremony, all members recalled their sweet experiences with the Beijing OYC. They expressed gratitude for the helpful services of the 383 volunteers. They exchanged addresses and promised to work hard in unity for the Olympic Movement, for peace and development in the world, for friendship and progress of mankind and for a bright future.