Samaranch confident of Beijing Olympics

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 18, 2003

Samaranch confident of Beijing Olympics

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Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said on Wednesday that his 25-year's associations with China assured him of the best Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.

The 83-year-old expressed confidence in Beijing in a meeting with Yuan Weimin, president of the Chinese Olympic Committee.

"My friendship with the Chinese people started when I was the Spanish ambassador in Moscow, and it has a history of 25 years," he said.

"So I know you very well, and I believe you will have the best Games in the Olympic history."

Paying his 15th visit to China, Samaranch was also happy to review the moment when Beijing was chosen to be the host city of the 2008 Games. It was him who, as chairman of IOC then, made the announcement in Moscow in July, 2001.

"I'm convinced it's a right and significant decision for IOC," he said, "I'm ready to offer any help if needed."

Yuan, on behalf of the Chinese Olympic Committee, extended warm welcome to the IOC honorary president for life, and expressed gratitude for his support to the Chinese sports all these years.

Samaranch comes to Beijing to attend the first Sino-Spanish Forum as a co-chairman to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The two-day session will start on Thursday.

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