Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 16 (Reported by Ji Ye, Gao Peng) At the 141st Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held in Mumbai, India, on October 16, the Beijing 2022 delegation made its final presentation. IOC President Bach said “Thank you to Beijing” in Chinese. Juan Antonio Samaranch, Chair of Beijing 2022 Coordination Commission and Vice President of the IOC, presented the Olympic trophy bearing the words “Respect, Friendship and Excellence” to the Beijing 2022 delegation.
On October 16, Juan Antonio Samaranch (left), Chair of the IOC’s Beijing 2022 Coordination Commission, presents an Olympic trophy to Zhang Qian, a representative of the Beijing 2022 delegation. Photo credit: Cao Can, Xinhua News Agency
Zhang Qian, Executive Vice President of Beijing Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and former head of the External Relations Department of Beijing 2022, made a presentation on the support of the government and the people, international cooperation, preparation measures and legacy utilization. As a representative of the Olympic legacy institutions in Beijing, deputy secretary general Ji Chuanpai of Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA) also attended the meeting.
The Beijing delegation getting ready for the rostrum
First of all, Ms. Zhang Qian expressed her heartfelt thanks to President Bach, members of the IOC and IOC staff. She pointed out various parties at home and abroad worked closely to complete all tasks related to the preparation and holding of the Games with high quality, and presented a simple, safe and splendid edition of the Olympic Games to the world. China has fulfilled its solemn commitment to the international community.
She then shared some best practices of Beijing 2022: first, the support of the Chinese government and people; second, international exchanges and cooperation; third, staying athlete-centered; fourth, the proactive prevention of and response to various risks and challenges; fifth, serving the public and promoting development while preparing for the Games.
On October 16, Zhang Qian, former Head of the External Relations Department of the Beijing 2022 and Executive Vice President of the BODA, makes a report at the meeting. Photo credit: Cao Can, Xinhua News Agency
Beijing 2022 is committed to the inheritance and development of the Olympic legacy. According to Ms. Zhang, all the Olympic venues are open to the public, actively holding mass sports, cultural and leisure activities, and actively bidding for hosting high-level international competitions. So far, Beijing has won the bid to host 11 calendar events, including the IBSF Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup 2023/2024 and the 2023-2027 FIS Figure Skating, Short Track Speed Skating and Speed Skating events.
This year marks the first-year anniversary of the Beijing 2022 Games and the 15th anniversary of the Beijing 2008 Games. To mark the two occasions, the city has been hosting Beijing Olympic City Sports & Culture Festival, Beijing International Sports Film Week, Olympic education for the youth and the promotion of emerging international sports on an ongoing basis. In addition, a touring exhibition on the spirit of the Beijing 2022 Games is held in Beijing, Zhangjiakou, among other places to widely communicate what Beijing has achieved in inheriting the legacy of both Summer and Winter Olympics and tell a good story of the city as the world’s only Summer and Winter Olympic city.
IOC President Thomas Bach speaking at the meeting. Photo credit: Cao Can, Xinhua News Agency
After Zhang’s presentation, Mr. Bach said in Chinese: “Thank you, Beijing!” He said that the success of the Beijing 2022 Games was encouraging and he highly appreciated the great achievements made in the legacy utilization. He hoped that the legacy of the Games would continue to benefit the Chinese people.
The Beijing 2022 delegation at the IOC Session. Photo credit: Cao Can, Xinhua News Agency
At Mr. Bach’s suggestion, Mr. Samaranch presented the Olympic trophy to the Beijing 2022 delegation. Samaranch also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to China, praising the brilliant job done which made his chairmanship of the Beijing 2022 Coordination Commission the “easiest job” he had ever had.
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