Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-08-17 16:02:13

Liu Jian, BOCOG Volunteer Department director (Photo credit: Fan Fan)

(BEIJING, August 16) — Participants of the week-long Olympic dream tour activity met Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC honorary president, for a heart-to-heart talk on Sunday morning.

Juan Antonio Samaranch poses for a photo with Olympic dream tour campers. (Photo credit: Fan Fan)

Upon seeing Mr. Samaranch, the excited young campers put forward one question after another concerning the Olympic Games. Of the 130 camp members, 73 are representatives from Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces, areas that were worst hit in the May 12 earthquake. Their questions were about the Olympic spirit and the spirit of Chinese rescue efforts in earthquake relief.

Mr. Samaranch made a point of praising the contributions made by all Olympic volunteers.

Without their efforts, the Olympic Games would not have been such a success. We are grateful for them. We show our respect for them, he said.

Mr. Samaranch encouraged the young campers to look forward to bright futures. The earthquake and following relief efforts have showed the world that China is a great country and her people are a great people, he said.

The Olympic dream tour activity lasts from August 12 to 18. The young campers will be invited to participate in a series of activities with “Olympic dream, harmonious China” as the theme.