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US Delegation Sings Highly of Beijing Universiade
Gary Cunningham, chef de mission of the US delegation to the 21st Universiade, said Wednesday in Beijing that they are pleased with everything on the organization work of the games and a successful World University Games is more important than who will be the first on the medal tally.
Cunningham, who earns reputation as one of the finest athletic administrators in the United States, made the remarks at a news briefing given by the U.S. delegation at the main press center of the Universiade to be held in Beijing from August 22 to September 1.
He said the work of the Universiade Organizing Committee and local authorities is spectacular. The organizing committee has done a wonderful job, he added.
"The Athletes' Village in China is the best one I've seen in the world," Cunningham said.
Answering a question about the transportation in the Beijing Universiade, he said that although there were a few tiny problems, the local transportation administration solved them immediately.
Cunningham's reply were echoed by Kim Black, who won the first in 800m free relay of swimming competition in the Sydney Olympics, and Michael Stember, another member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team.
Both of the U.S. athletes said they did not think that transportation would be a problem of the 21st Universiade.
Black said, "I feel excited to be here, and the people here are extremely friendly."
Stember, a student from Stanford University, said that his tour of Bejing will be a positive experience for him.
Responding to a question about pollution in Beijing, Stember said that he has been to the Tian'anmen Square and a shopping center in downtown, and that he did not feel any pollution. The environment in and around the Athletes' Village is very nice, he added.
Black said that she knew that pollution is a problem people concerned. But everything is quite good here so far, she added.
Replying to a question about the Chinese delegation's challenge against the U.S. delegation in the medal fight, the chef de mission said that the U.S. has sent many world-class athletes here and "I believe they will do well."
"As the host, China will do very well, and some other countries will also do very well," he added.
The U.S. delegation, which topped the medal table in recent University Games, sent 183 athletes to compete in seven sports here.
Sandra Baldwin, president of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), said on the occasion that she wants to carry out more exchange programs between the U.S. and Chinese athletes in coming years.
Baldwin, the first woman to be elected the four year-term post of President of the USOC, said she is scheduled to meet with her Chinese counterpart on Thursday in Beijing for promoting bilateral relations in athletic cooperation.
"We will be delighted to help the Chinese athletic officials if they ask questions on administration of a successful Olympic Games, " said Baldwin, citing that the United States has rich experience in the field after organizing seven Olympics.
Since Beijing was awarded the right to host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, the 21st World University Games has special significance.
"The organization work, city itself and local administration are good enough," said Baldwin.
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