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Beijing Delegation Arrives in Moscow for 2008 Olympic Vote
After winning an unprecedented haul of 28 gold medals in Sydney Olympics, China is eager for another gold -- the right to host the 2008 Olympiad.
Six days from the final vote on the venue of the 2008 Olympiad, Beijing's 125-strong delegation arrived in Moscow, showing its aspirations of winning the biggest sporting prize.
"We won 28 golds in Sydney, but this time there is only one gold," said Yuan Weimin, President of the Chinese Olympic Committee. "I wish Beijing good luck."
The International Olympic Committee will make final vote on July 13 at the 112th session, choosing one winner from five candidate cities including Beijing, Toronto, Paris, Istanbul and Osaka.
Another big part of the session is to elect a new president after outgoing IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch steps down after 21 years in the most important job of the world sports.
Beijing Mayor Liu Qi stressed that the full session will be a milestone in the Olympic Movement.
"It is a very important meeting. Both the final vote on the 2008 Olympiad and the presidential election will be of great significance to the development of the Olympic Movement," said Liu, who is also president of the Beijing bid committee.
Beijing, the capital of the world most populous country, has said that a Games in the 3,000-year-old city will further the dissemination of the Olympic Ideals and is in line with the universality principle promoted by the Olympic family.
Beijing, which lost out to Sydney by two votes in the bid for 2000 Olympiad, has also become much more equipped to stage an excellent Games seven years later.
Lou Dapeng, sports director of the Beijing bid committee, has showed his confidence of winning the bid, having involved in the last failed bid.
"Compared to last bid, I think the most important thing in the 2008 race is China has become more prosperous and gained more strength to ensure the success of the Games," said Lou.
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