IOC official honours netizens via Xinhuanet

BEIJING-- "Without the media's reports, the Olympic Movement can never achieve today's glory," said He Zhenliang, the Advisor to and Executive Member of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Beijing Olympic Games on Saturday.

"Without the media, people around the world can hardly attend and understand the Olympic Movement to the same level we have achieved. I'd like to honour those who support the Olympic Movement through the Internet," said Mr. He, who is also the Chairman of the Commission for Culture and Olympic Education of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Mr. He made the remarks when visiting the Xinhuanet office at the Main Press Center of the Beijing Olympic Games.

During his visit, Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry won the gold medal by shattering the world record 0.85 seconds in the women's 200m backstroke final. Mr. He pointed out excitedly that African athletes were only good at long-distance race in the past, but they have now made lots of breakthroughs in many other fields.

The successful host of the Beijing Olympics will boost the mutual understanding between China and the world. The Beijing Olympics will offer us a valuable spiritual and cultural asset, he emphasized.

"The IOC members are very satisfied with the organizing work. Many IOC officials told me that the choice of Beijing was correct," he added.

Source: Xinhua