Universiade Athlete's Village Deserves Gold Medal: IOC ChiefJacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, has given the Athletes' Village for the 21st Universiade a comment which weighs equally heavy as a gold medal at the arena.Before leaving the Village, he gave thumbs up to what the hosts has done to the villiage which is home to more than 6,000 athletes and officials. "You have deserved the gold medal," the newly-elected IOC President said to Zhang Jianmin, Mayor of the Village. Another comment he made during the visit came when he was given a briefing by an English-speaking volunteer from Beijing Foreign Studies University at the General Service Desk. "very good system,"He said. Mr. Rogge also showed great interest in the self-service postcards and was invited to make a fast postcard with his picture on it. He signed his name on the guestbook after writing the line of "congratulations to the Universiade post office." Rogge stopped at No.4 Apartment Building for athletes and talked with some volunteers there. Looking at the up-to-date facilities, he said, "Nice, very nice." At the flag-raising square where 169 flags of the participating delegations were flying over the sky, Mr. Rogge said, "There will be more than 200 flags here in 2008 when the Olympic Games is held in Beijing." Before the village visit, Rogge dropped at the Capital Gymnasium and the main press center. Following such site visits, he came to watch the swimming events of the 21st Universiade in the Ying Tung Natatorium Monday evening. Rogge also presented the gold medal to Tara J. Kirk, the US champion of the women's 50m breaststroke finals. "It was a great honor to have such a prestigeous person to award the medal," Kirk said. Rogge, who arrived here this morning, will have a meeting with local officials on Tuesday morning before leaving here tomorrow afternoon. |
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