On January 25, before the official opening of the Beijing Winter Olympic Village, a special guest was welcomed: Juan Antonio Samaranch, member of the International Olympic Committee and chairman of the Coordination Committee of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games of the International Olympic Committee.
In the square area of Beijing Winter Olympic Village, the flags of various countries fluttered in the wind, creating a strong Olympic international family atmosphere. Samaranch first listened to a briefing on the truce mural and flag square, then went to the village chief's meeting room to listen to the overall operation of the Beijing Winter Olympic Village, and then visited the athletes' restaurant and living area of the Beijing Winter Olympic Village, and exchanged cordially with the volunteers.
Samaranch visited the "Cultural China" exhibition area in the Square Area of the Winter Olympic Village in Beijing. Beijing Winter Olympic Village Operation Team Courtesy photo
"The Beijing Winter Olympic Village is one of the most exciting Winter and Summer Olympic Villages I have ever seen." Samaranch said he was pleased to see that the Beijing Winter Olympic Village was so functional and well-equipped that the athletes who could live here were lucky. He then mentioned that his father and he have a deep friendship with Chinese people, and also thanked Chinese for their kindness to him, "Beijing, as the world's first city of two Olympic Games, and the interval between the two Olympic Games is only 14 years, which is the embodiment of Beijing's Olympic spirit and China's national strength." ”
Finally, Shen Qianfan, director of the operation team of Beijing Winter Olympic Village, presented the intangible cultural heritage of Beijing , "Fire Painted Gourd", to Samaranch on behalf of Beijing Winter Olympic Village. This fire-painted gourd is painted with orchids, symbolizing "wealth, peace, auspiciousness and good will". "Thank you very much, I will cherish this special gift from the Beijing Winter Olympic Village." Samaranch said.
Source Client The Winter Olympics | Journalist Ren Shan
Edited by Kang Dian
Process Editor Liu Weili
![Samaranch visited the Beijing Winter Olympic Village and received this special gift[fig]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs=)