Thank you China for always being willing to lend a hand to help the Olympic movement flourish" - an exclusive interview with the president of the Coventry International Olympic Committee.
Xinhua News Agency, Dakar, November 10, headline: "Thank you China for always being ready to lend a hand to help the Olympic movement flourish" - Exclusive interview with International Olympic Committee President Coventry.
Xinhua News Agency reporters Ding and President, Hu Jiali, Zheng Mengyu.
The fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games are held in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters in Dakar on the 10th, International Olympic Committee President Coventry said that the organization of this event "exceeded expectations" and progress was "very smooth." She also expressed special thanks to China for its continuous contribution to promoting the development of the Olympic Movement.
"China played a vital role in the success of the event."
There are many "Chinese elements" in this Youth Olympic Games. Chinese companies participated in the renovation and expansion project of the venue, Chinese brands provided uniforms for volunteers, and relevant parties also provided diverse professional and technical support for the Coventry Games, listing them one by one and saying: "These fully demonstrate China's sincere love for the Olympic movement."
"China played a vital role in the success of this event," she said. "China is always willing to lend a hand to help the Olympic movement flourish. For that we are very grateful."
Outside the place there is "Made in China" and "Intelligent Made in China", while inside the place there is "Chinese Kung Fu" which attracts countless attention. Wushu appeared on the stage of the Olympic series for the first time. Coventry also came to watch the competition and were taught the scoring rules by experts from the International Wushu Federation.
"The viewing experience was great. The scene was very exciting, and you could see the athletes combine strength, explosiveness and agility. The sport and also the competitors were impressive," she recalled.
"The organization of the event exceeded all expectations."
The Dakar Youth Olympic Games is the first time the Olympic series has come to Africa, and Coventry said it was a series of "proud".
"The event went smoothly and the athletes were very satisfied." said an IOC leader from the African country of Zimbabwe. "I think the overall organization of this event did exceed everyone's expectations, and that makes me very proud."
“Every team has worked hard to ensure that all competition venues are ready to the satisfaction of the athletes, delegations and all visiting guests. The feedback I keep getting is that everyone is really immersed in this event and feeling the 'spirit of Africa'."
Coventry specifically mentioned that the Dakar Youth Olympic Games are a celebration that belongs to all of Africa. "We witnessed a wonderful opening ceremony, with every African country showing part of the opening ceremony live, which fully illustrates the broad support of the Dakar Youth Olympic Games on the African continent. We are very proud of Senegal and Dakar, who have fully used this event to let as many people as possible feel the magic of the Youth Olympic Games."
Coventry said she has visited all the competition venues for this event and will be going to watch the competitions in the coming days. She enjoyed the process of walking around and was greatly influenced by the atmosphere of the event. "The live crowd, the children and the school students who came to watch the games and participate in the Youth Olympic Games, their full energy and enthusiasm are especially touching. I hope that all of this can also inspire the next generation of young athletes."