Grand Gala, Hope of World Future-- Congratulations on the Opening of 2001 Beijing UniversiadeAugust Beijing is steeped in a jolly atmosphere of world youths and singing of the gala song of friendship. Cheers over the success of Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games are still echoing in the hearts of hundreds of millions of Chinese people. The 2001 Beijing Universiade, long awaited as it is to be staged, is going to add a new beautiful exhilarating sight to Beijing amidst the ardent expectations of the world people.To crown the 40 years' history of the World University Games will be a new step of advance marking the ongoing 2001 Beijing Universiade as is expected. This is the first time Beijing hosts the 21st University Games, now as a world metropolis with a history of more than 3,000 years. World Youths descending on this old city, taking part in the world gala staged first time in the new century, the 2001 Beijing Universiade is bound to be of outstanding significance shining over the history of Beijing as well as that of world University Games. The World University Games has been known for its fame next to world Olympic Games. When contrasting world Olympics, though known for its participants as young university students and their differences in number and event scores not matching up those of world Olympians, yet it enjoys all the same worldwide attendance. Following the spirit of "achieving new heights and new records", it has the same competitive events launched and the same goals of "unity, friendship and progress" aspired to. As youths, full of vitality and vigor, they by themselves are the hope and world future. Over the past 40 years, numerous top brass sports stars have made themselves known worldwide with flying colors won through Universiade contests. Under the bright sunrays of early autumn of Beijing, student athletes from various parts of the world, including those seasoned and unknown as they are seen now in Beijing, have all fully pulled themselves together and are ready to chalk up the best records of theirs. We extend our happy greetings to the 2001 Beijing Universiade and hope that it is to be staged as a colorful gala and to have great successes won in the coming days of contests in Beijing. By now, Beijing is by itself a grand stage and arena for the 21st University Games on which it is to be staged. Back in July, Beijing had just taken over the relay baton with all its might and committed itself to holding a new perfect Olympic Games as the best in world Olympic Games history. This month, August will see Beijing going to turn in its own test paper by its top-class sports facilities, first-rate environment and first-rate service focusing the attention of the world people. Since founding of the Universiade Organization Committee April 1999, fully backed by the whole Chinese people, Beijing has had all possible preparations made. Following a well-thought plan and a mass mobilization drive launched in support, Beijing has seen to it that a garden-like universiade village has been built and opened to over 7000 guests from abroad. Available already are 52 new and renovated venues along with its news center and substations having been put into operation. Things have all been in an orderly fashion for all events to be staged without doubt. Volunteers with their voluntary and enthusiastic service going to build up a "rainbow" of friendship to serve friends from the five continents of the world have formed a force of over 50,000 in anticipation of the moment to unveil the 2001 Beijing Universiade! Beijing has got everything ready and all preparations have been made! People have made their mind to put into practice with the fullest enthusiasm Beijing's commitments and Universide officials' hopes. 2001 Beijing Universiade will be staged in a most successful way and as one representing the great enthusiasm and hospitality of the Chinese people and students to hail the holding of the world Olympics in 2008 in Beijing. 2001 Beijing Universiade is a grand international gala and sports meet. It offers not only a rare opportunity for Chinese youths to promote friendship and exchanges with their counterparts from all over the world but also a fine chance for foreign friends to deepen their understanding of China's reform and opening and its modernization drive launched. Beijing, China, has already has its door opened, on the way to strive for new advances and have vigorous efforts made to go in for world competition and exchanges. At the outset of the 21st century, several thousand foreign university athletes gathering in Beijing will surely add a new symphonic movement in singing praises of this old yet young metropolis, Beijing!. Youths are by themselves the future of the world. Youths form a young vital driving force of renovation and world development. Youths are a dynamic group of people teeming with life, gathering in a large gala conducting exchanges and competing on an equal footing in today's Beijing. Tomorrow, they are going to shoulder the hope of the world people, advance hand in hand and do their part in contributing to the advancement and wellbeing of the world people. People's Daily Online |
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