The successful holding of the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games has excited the whole country and attracted the attention of the world. Holding international competitions is an important opportunity to show the national image, promote national development and invigorate the national spirit, and China's first international comprehensive competition dates back 32 years.
Jiang Xiaoyu, vice president of the Beijing Olympic City Development Promotion Association and executive vice chairman of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, recalled China's 32-year journey from hosting the Asian Games for the first time in 1990 to hosting the Olympic Games for the first time in 2008, and then to hosting the First Winter Olympics in 2022. He believes that these three landmark events in the history of new Chinese sports have witnessed the historical trajectory of the development of sports in New China, and are also important sports movements in the movement of the times in which the people of the Chinese have stood up and become rich to become strong.
The following is the transcript of Jiang Xiaoyu's interview (Interview time: December 2021)
【Beijing Asian Games: Rushing Out of Asia to the Olympics】
Q: As the first large-scale international comprehensive event held in China, what did the 1990 Asian Games bring to China's sports industry and social development?
A: The Asian Games in 1990 should be the first time since the founding of New China that our country has held a large-scale international comprehensive sports event, so this is a breakthrough. There are a lot of things that I didn't know much in the past, and there are mascots at a glance, which everyone feels very good, pandas look forward to.
China has only officially participated in The 7th Asian Games. The 9th edition won the first place in the total number of gold medals, the 10th was also the first, the 11th was the 90th Asian Games in Beijing, we suddenly got 183 gold medals, which was a great encouragement to the people. China's competitive sports are finally going to rush out of Asia and go global at the same time.
This should be closely related to a characteristic of our reform and opening up, which I think is closely related. The Asian Games is an opportunity to show the world the fruits of our reform and opening up.
I think the sports '80s were a very boiling time, right? For example, our women's volleyball team won five consecutive championships, such as our first participation in the Summer Olympic Games, Xu Haifeng won the first gold medal in Chinese history, and this series of actions has stimulated the patriotic enthusiasm of the Chinese people.
Everyone has seen this huge energy that sports can win glory for the country. The kind of encouragement and encouragement it brings to the Chinese people should be said to be very huge. Therefore, I believe that the historical value and significance of the Asian Games should be said to be of great value and far-reaching significance, and it was a landmark event in the early days of our reform and opening up.
Q: It is said that Beijing's Bid for the Olympic Games began as early as the 1990 Asian Games?
A: At the closing ceremony, a big banner was put up, the Asian Games were successful, and everyone was looking forward to the Olympic Games, which I think actually represented the aspirations of the vast number of Chinese people.
At the same time, I think Comrade Xiaoping also began to pay attention to the Olympics relatively early. When he went to inspect the Asian Games venues, he asked the person in charge of the State Sports Commission and the person in charge of Beijing Municipality, "Have you made up your mind?" When will I bid for the Olympic Games? Therefore, it should be said that the Asian Games were successfully held under the attention of Comrade Xiaoping, and at the same time, Deng Xiaoping should also be the earliest leader who proposed China's bid to host and host the Olympic Games.
【The road to the Olympic bid: from the difference of two votes to the high vote to win】
Q: Beijing actually hosted the Olympic Games after two bids, what was your impression of this at that time?
A: (1993) The first time I bid for the Olympic Games, I didn't participate at that time, but I was very concerned about our first bid, and we voted for the difference of two votes on the same day, unfortunately, I didn't succeed. It should be said that the first bid was successful, and the probability is not too large.
I only participated in the work of the Olympic Bidding Committee in 2000. If the second bid is made, it is not too long from the first time. But I think China as a whole has a new look, and we have made tremendous achievements in reform and opening up. The second point is that I think the degree of modernization of the capital Beijing has been continuously improved, and the urban appearance and management of the capital have been rapidly improved. The third is the growing status and influence of Chinese sports in the world. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, we won 28 gold medals and are already in the top three of the gold medals.
Q: Are there any twists and turns in the second bid process?
A: At that time, international public opinion was still strong in the West and weak in the West, so our biggest challenge was how to enable more than 100 IOC members to understand a real, comprehensive and three-dimensional China and Beijing.
At that time, our various delegations, visiting groups, and business groups all had a task, and when they went out, they all had to talk about Beijing's bid to host the Olympic Games. And more importantly, please come in. At that time, the Olympic Bidding Committee invited many international sports media, including major news units in our country, to invite some international mainstream media. We have a very important concept, we are not afraid to look at Beijing, we can afford to see, we let them see, never cover up our shortcomings, let them see a real Beijing.
At that time, some statistics of international public opinion were negative reports, neutral reports plus a piece of 70%. On the eve of our vote in Moscow, there was a public opinion statistic that at that time, the positive and neutral support for Beijing and the coverage of Beijing became 70%.
Another point is to create a small environment of public opinion for individual members of the International Olympic Committee. We have organized a large number of materials to introduce briefings and periodicals on Beijing's Bid for the Olympic Games... Send them all to the office.
Later, we wanted to reflect the concept of our scientific and technological Olympics, so we sent them CDs, but found that because the level of national development is different, some members do not have CD-ROM readers, and it is useless for you to send CDs. For this reason, the committee members were also sent a CD-ROM reader. But there is a big risk in this, just such a small move, when discussed, will it be considered a bribe? Later, when I said this, I attached a letter in the future, which clearly wrote: "The reading machine we sent is convenient for you to read the CD-ROM we sent, so that you can understand today's Beijing." After you use it, you can return it to us. "We can also pay the postage, or we can refund it to our Chinese embassies and consulates in the local area that have established diplomatic relations, and there is nothing wrong with this."
We told them a lot about the origins of China and the Olympic Movement, our Olympic Three Questions (put forward in) 1908, we China can only send 400 million people to send one athlete (to participate in the 1932 Olympic Games), to New China we can win the first gold medal. Up to now, we have proposed to hold an Olympic Games, which is the dream of the Chinese nation for a century-old Olympic Games.
So I think what they understand, or identify with, us, is that we Chinese people have a special affection for the Olympic Movement, and this special emotion is contained in the humiliating history of our nation in modern times.
So in the voting in Moscow on July 13, 2001, we won the second round with a large number of votes and won the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
On July 13, 2001, after Beijing municipality won the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing citizens celebrated the victory. Xinhua News Agency reporter Jiang Xiaozhao
【Behind the Olympic Bid: A Little Story You Don't Know】
Q: You specifically participated in the second olympic bid, is there any story to share?
A: One is the choice of the presenter, who must choose the most representative ones that can attract international attention at the same time.
In the end, I felt that Deng Yaping had won a number of Olympic gold medals, and (then president of the International Olympic Committee) Samaranch and the International Olympic Committee liked it. But (male narrator) Yang Ling and Deng Yaping still have a certain height gap, what to do if you want to make up for it? Finally, I thought of a way to make a small run-in and let Deng Yaping step on the stool.
The uniforms of our Olympic bidding delegation were all dark red suit tops, milky white pants, and finally found in the TV camera that the background (contrast) of Moscow was a bit out of the ordinary. At that time, it was already on the plane, and it was too late for the whole regiment of more than 200 people to change, and finally it was decided that all the personnel of the presentation group would change, tailor-made overnight, and turned into light gray suits.
I think all of this reflects our preparation for the bid, which is meticulous and thoughtful, with attention to detail.
On July 12, 2001, Beijing, as the bidding city for the 2008 Olympic Games, held a press conference at the press center of the Slavic Hotel in Moscow, with athlete representative Deng Yaping as the second from the right. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhao Yingxin
Q: Can you recall the scene when Beijing won the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games?
A: (Successful bid) At that moment, I was really excited, excited, and happy. As soon as I went out, all the media reporters came out, and the "whining" of all parties poured in. All the microphones, I can't wait to put the pestle on the cheeks.
The last words, it was already midnight, my men, there were dozens of people at the scene at the time, did not care to eat a bite, many people were excited to cry. At that time, the leader telephoned and said that hundreds of thousands of people in Beijing have now taken to the streets, Tiananmen Square is crowded with people, the people are reveling all night, and the land of China is boiling.
There's also a real little story. This is the first Concert in the Forbidden City Plaza, held on June 23, 2001, on The International Olympic Day, held by the mainland, which is the last opportunity to publicize the Olympic bid. The chief manager of the three tenors is called Taibo Rudos, and if we talk to him about the performance, we only need to be on June 23rd, this old man thinks it is very strange, he said why? I said it was Olympic Day, and we in Beijing were bidding for the Olympics. Later, he said, "I think you don't seem to have enough confidence in [your Olympic bid], so let's make a bet." If you succeed in your bid, I win, and you lose me a dollar. If I lose, I'll lose you $1,000. "I said deal, it's okay.
So on the night of the successful bid, I asked my family to write him a letter in English, saying: "Beijing has won the right to hold the event, so send a dollar as promised." "He put the letter and the dollar in a frame and put it in his office, and he took a picture and sent it back to me. Reflecting the international community's bid for Beijing, there are also many friends who support it and hope that the Olympic Movement can come to the most populous country.
On June 23, 2001, on the occasion of World Olympic Day, the world's three tenors were officially held in front of the noon gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhao Yingxin
【Looking back at 08: Unforgettable Memories】
Q: What impact did the Wenchuan earthquake that occurred before the 2008 Olympics affect us?
A: On May 12, 2008, a huge earthquake disaster occurred in Wenchuan, which also had a great impact on the work of the Olympic Games. At that time, our torch relay was underway, and the ceremony was streamlined, with the addition of some silent ceremonies and our voluntary donations.
In addition, I think that for our Chinese nation, she has some special excellent qualities. When faced with a huge disaster test, she is often able to become more and more courageous, and can radiate amazing strength. Not afraid of danger, all people are united in their hearts and minds, and they will go to the country together.
Q: From the volunteer rescue of the Wenchuan earthquake to the "Bird's Nest Generation" volunteers at the Beijing Olympic Games, do you feel that volunteer service has developed a lot in 2008?
A: In the 2008 Olympic Games, the precious legacy left by our country is part of the spiritual legacy.
The total number of volunteers for the Beijing Olympic Games is 100,000, and the number of applicants has reached more than 1.1 million, which is the largest number of applicants in the Previous Olympic Games so far. A total of 1.7 million different volunteers were actually served, and 200 million hours of volunteer service were provided during the Beijing Olympic Games, which set a new record in the history of the Olympic Games.
Therefore, through this, we can see the enthusiastic support of our people for the Olympic Games, which is also one of the biggest advantages of our hosting of the Olympic Games, and bidding, preparing for and hosting the Olympic Games is a great thing in China that wins the hearts and minds of the people.
On the evening of August 24, 2008, the closing ceremony of the 29th Summer Olympic Games was held at the Beijing National Stadium - "Bird's Nest". This is the appearance of volunteer representatives. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Lei
Q: You also participated in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games, what impressed you the most?
A: For the opening ceremony, countless schemes have been made. Considering that the "big bowl edge" of our bird's nest is 14 meters high and hundreds of meters long, make a fuss about this. So Li Ning ran obliquely in the air, in the process of all the pictures that appeared behind him, we torch relayed from the flame to light a scene after a scene, let everyone relive the history of our Beijing Olympic flame, and feel the passion and strength of life from it, so doing the foreplay is one of our innovations.
In the last run of the torchbearers, the selection is very important, and in the end, only the "prince of gymnastics" like Li Ning, who has won the Olympic gymnastics championship and several gold medals, is a good physical fitness.
The official performance of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on August 8 was the best combination of all our rehearsals, with a zero error rate. There used to be a little bit of a deficiency, that day was really perfect, all the places you should want it has, it is so smooth.
Q: From what you have personally experienced, what role does the Beijing Olympic Games play in China's social development and the enhancement of the country's image?
A: We are still full of confidence in the impact of the Beijing Olympic Games, but it is really unexpected that its influence is so far-reaching and lasting. Until now, sometimes, to travel abroad, people introduced that this is one of the organizers of the Beijing Olympic Games that year, and immediately many foreigners said the opening ceremony, saying that you 08 Olympic Games, a praise.
The Beijing Olympic Games, its three major concepts, have now been transformed into a new strategic concept for the development of our capital city. Some of the measures, systems, regulations, and policies that have been effective in the Olympic Games have become some normalized operating mechanisms for the modern management of our cities.
Therefore, there are both tangible heritage of venues and facilities, as well as institutional heritage and spiritual cultural heritage. The ultimate recipients of these tangible and spiritual heritage are the cities and the people.
【Beijing Winter Olympics: GuoyunXing Sports】
Q: What is the significance of the Winter Olympics?
A: The biggest difference in the hosting of this Winter Olympics is that we are under the conditions of the world's unprecedented changes in a century, and we are facing the new crown epidemic, so we will face many new challenges.
If we can face challenges and overcome difficulties, we will meet new developments. Hosting the Winter Olympics is an important window for us to show the world China's peaceful development and rise, and is willing to make our contributions to the community of human destiny, and it is also an important stage for us to pursue our dream of national rejuvenation and power.
We are also a great contribution and impetus to the international Olympic movement. 300 million people participate in ice and snow sports, which alone is an unprecedented miracle in the world. I was deeply impressed by the bid in 2008, the most received was the banner of signing support, not so when the 2022 Winter Olympics came, more to see that everyone is using practical actions to fitness, to support the Winter Olympics.
On the evening of February 20, 2022, the closing ceremony of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games was held at the National Stadium. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ga
Question: If you look at these three major competitions together, what is the relationship between the first Asian Games, the first Olympic Games and the first Winter Olympics, and the development of the country and the progress of society? Will international competitions continue to be held in the future?
A: The successful hosting of the Asian Games, the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games are the three iconic events and events in the history of new Chinese sports, which should be said to have witnessed the historical trajectory of the development of sports in new China, and are also important sports movements in the main theme of our Chinese people from standing up and getting rich to becoming strong.
Attaching importance to sports is a tradition of our party. Especially since the Eighteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has personally promoted the construction of a sports power, and the construction of a sports power is an important goal of our socialist modernization construction. Judging from the three major events, it should be said that it is a step by step, step by step, and a new development step by step.
If the country is strong, then the sports are strong. If the national fortune is prosperous, the sports are prosperous. There are more than 20 countries in the world, more than 40 cities have hosted the Summer Olympic Games or the Winter Olympic Games, only Beijing is the only double Olympic city, so this should be said to be an honor.
For the future holding of international competitions, our country is still a developing country on the whole. We now have more than a dozen first-tier cities, then our second-tier cities have dozens or even hundreds, then these cities are facing a city development, there are more needs and its space.
Under our current national conditions, under our system, by holding large-scale events to promote economic and social development, to improve the visibility and reputation of the city, so as to benefit our local people, so I think our endogenous motivation determines that there will be many cities to bid for important international events in the future.
Written by Xinhua News Agency