Beijing Marks 2nd Anniversary of Successful Bid for 2008 Olympics

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, July 14, 2003

Beijing Marks 2nd Anniversary of Successful Bid for 2008 Olympics

Beijing on Sunday celebrated the second anniversary of its Olympic bid triumph with kinds of cultural and sports activities. Two years after the city won the right to host the 2008 Games, the successful bid remains a source of enormous national pride throughout China.

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Stepping out from the SARS epidemic, Beijing citizens, whose life was disrupted by the SARS for near two months, were fully celebrating the second anniversary of the city's successful bid to host the 2008 Olympics.

Two years after the city won the right to host the 2008 Games, the successful bid remains a source of enormous national pride throughout China.

Some 12,000 people joined in a celebratory 8-kilometer run that began in Tiananmen Square and ended at the Millennium Monument, an outdoor stage in western Beijing.

"I'm training hard now and I hope to compete at the 2008 Olympics," said the 16-year-old Liu Chao, winner of the mass run.

Hu Yuanru, a retired garden caretaker, said he didn't run for awards, but for "the Olympic Spirit".

"Participation is more important than the result," he said.

College students also put on artistic performances, urging residents to "welcome the Olympic in a civilized way."

In some of the other varied celebrations, ballroom dancers, trick bicyclists and roller skaters took the stage in many parks.

"July 13 has already become a holiday in people's hearts," said the 62-year-old Li Qing, who had circles in different colors painted on his chests to symbolize the five Olympic rings.

Meanwhile, more than 30 gymnasias and stadia are open to the public at half price.

The revelry Beijing's citizens displayed in Longtan Park was reminiscent of the wild night when Beijing was awarded the Games.

Some people took the opportunity to dance, others sang and many played table tennis or Taijiquan (shadow boxing). From the young to the old, all soaked up the atmosphere.

"I have many reasons to be happy because today is a great moment,'' said Guo Changjian, a retired worker who was displaying his excellent skills of kicking shuttlecock -- a Chinese traditional game.

"We have just got rid of SARS, and two years ago we won the right to host the Olympic Games.''

Next to Guo was a group of the city's top supremos and central government officials, who visited the park early in the morning to join the celebrations.

Liu Qi, president of the Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games, was clearly impressed by the scene.

"You see, Beijing is a city full of passion,'' he said.

"Beijing will always be a city with great dynamics, power and chance.''

Liu said although the city was contained by SARS for a while, the citizens' Olympic passion never dissipated.

"I am glad that so many people got out of their homes today to touch the city and to celebrate the Olympic moment,'' he said.

"The goal of holding such a celebration is to improve people's health and to bring people back together.''

China's sporting stars like Olympic table tennis champion Deng Yaping, who now works for the Olympic organizing committee, and figure skating world champions Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo also joined in yesterday.

Elsewhere in the city, numerous similar activities like concerts, a road running race and exhibitions were also held throughout the day.

On July 13, 2001, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose Beijing over four other candidate cities, including Toronto,Paris, Istanbul and Osaka, as the venue for the 2008 Games.

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