Current Affairs

IPC President Crazy about Guangzhou 2010
02-04-09

April 2, 2009 - On March 25th (American Time), Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympics Committee (IPC), took time to visit the Guangzhou Asian Games' stand during his attendance at Sportaccord 2009 held in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.

Mr. Craven talked with representatives of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) about his "China complex" and expressed his wishes and expectation for the Guangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

"President Hu Jintao introduced the Guangzhou Asian Para Games to me"

"During the Beijing Paralympic Games," said Mr. Craven, "President Hu Jintao promised at the banquet held in the Great Hall of the People, that sports for disabled people would be booming in China with the Beijing Paralympic Games marking the first step. In 2010, the Asian Para Games would be held in Guangzhou in South China." Mr. Craven said that he had been looking forward to the Guangzhou Asian Para Games since then.

"The first stand I visited was that of the Guangzhou Asian Games"

Mr. Craven went further that, hospitality of Chinese had been fairly impressive and he had experienced a sense of loss after the Beijing Paralympics. A few days before the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, he had the chance to come to Guangzhou for the 2008 International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport, and Guangzhou had left a wonderful impression for him. Therefore, "the first stand I would visit must be that of the Guangzhou Asian Games since I want to say 'hello' to Guangzhou," he said.

"I wish to attend the Guangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games"

Mr. Craven learned about preparations for the Guangzhou Asian Games and weather in Guangzhou from GAGOC. The Guangzhou Asian Games would be from 12th to 27th in November, 2010, while the Guangzhou Asian Para Games would be from 12th to 27th in December, 2010. Guangzhou is known as the City of Flowers, with pleasant weather in winter and suitable for sports games. GAGOC presented 5 Yang (legendary / celestial goat) to Mr. Craven as gifts, and he showed his appreciation and fondness for the mascots. He added, if time permits, that he would surely be in Guangzhou at that time.

"I hope Olympic spirits would be spreading over the world"

Mr. Craven said that the great success of the Beijing Paralympic Games, toughness and strength showed by Paralympics athletes and pursuit for the best really moved and inspired people around the world. He would never forget China’s passion and support for the Paralympic Games and hoped that the Guangzhou Asian Para Games would be successful.

"I am a language addict as well"

"Before the Beijing Olympic Games I learned a little Mandarin, and I would learn some Cantonese before the Guangzhou Asian Games," said Mr. Philip Craven. At the stand, he began learning Cantonese from GAGOC staff with great eager and ease. "Ni hao" (it means "hello") and "xiexie Guangzhou" (it means "thank you, Guangzhou") are the best wishes and regards for Guangzhou people and the Guangzhou Asian Games.

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