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Chinese Schoolgirl Cherishes Fond Memories of IOC President
Beijing's Olympic bid has refreshed a schoolgirl's memory of her meeting with International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch.
The story went back four years ago when a Shanghai primary school girl Li Wenyi presented a bouquet to Samaranch at the Eighth Chinese National Games opening ceremony.
Li was so excited that she decided to give the president something special, in addition to the bouquet.
She worked meticulously on a card where she drew a Chinese girl in a shower of flowers and balloons in bright colors, with Chinese wishes: "Grandpa Samaranch, you are welcome to China."
The girl, however, felt a little nervous when she was about to give the bouquet to the most distinguished guest of the ceremony.
"But the moment I saw him smiling at me, well, he was so amiable -- I felt at ease," Li said.
A while after she presented the bouquet, Li gave Samaranch the card.
"Mr. Samaranch exclaimed 'so nice, so nice'. He was pleased. In return, he sent me a watch, an IOC souvenir," Li recalled.
The scene has taken root in Li's mind and her desire to see Grandpa Samaranch gets stronger when Beijing launched a second bid for the 2008 Games.
On February she wrote a letter to the Samaranch, telling him how she and Chinese youngsters support Beijing's Olympic bid. A photo showing Li and Samaranch together on the rostrum of the National Games was enclosed.
"I knew he was busy, but I was sure he would receive my letter, " Li said.
A surprising delight came on April 20 when she found in her mailbox a large envelope bearing the five-ring Olympic logo and the IOC address in Lausanne.
She opened it carefully, and found a letter with a photo of Samaranch.
"I acknowledge, with thanks, receipt of your letter dated February 2001 and the wonderful photo enclosed. I should like to thank you for your souvenir from such a delighted and memorable visit to your country," Samaranch said in the letter.
"I wish you every success for the future and take this opportunity to thank your for your support of the Olympic Movement, " said the letter.
"Grandpa Samaranch still remember me. I am expecting the day when I meet Grandpa again in 2008 in Beijing," Li said.
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