The Olympic Family has granted strong support for China's relief work since the May 12 8.0-magnitude earthquake which hit the southwest part of the country, causing huge casualties and damages.
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge and the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Philip Craven have both sent condolences to the victims, offering support to the Chinese people.
The Olympic Family expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of the Chinese government and people, the country will finally overcome the disaster, and both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games will be a success.
CONDOLENCE AND WISHES
The IOC president sent a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao immediately after the quake on May 12 extending the support of the IOC and the entire Olympic Movement to the Chinese people.
Rogge said in the letter, "We send our deepest condolences for the victims. The Olympic Movement is at your side, especially during these difficult moments."
"Our thoughts are with you." Rogge added in the letter. "I feel sad for those affected and join in solidarity with the people of China."
Rogge also said he had contacted with the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) for any help the IOC could offer to China.
On the following day, messages from the IOC were sent to Liu Qi, president of the BOCOG, pledging one million U.S. dollars in relief aid to China's earthquake-stricken areas.
On May 20, IOC's five-ring flag in front of the IOC headquarters in Lausanne was flown at half-mast during China's nationally recognized days of mourning.
On May 26, Rogge wrote to Liu again, expressing the support from the IOC for the Chinese people.
The IOC also spoke highly of China's preparation work for the Olympic Games and highlighted the committee has been always supporting the Beijing Olympics, adding the Games will be a success.
The IOC honorary president Juan Antonio Samaranch and the IPC president Craven also extended their deep sympathy to all the victims in the disaster.
"The rapid reaction by the Chinese government has made great progress in the rescue work." Craven said.
Craven also expressed the hope that the people in the disaster areas could soon get recovered and rebuild their homes.
LARGE DONATIONS
Sponsors for the 2008 Beijing Olympics all expressed their will to offer donations to the disaster areas when they met in Beijing for the sponsors conference on May 13.
David Brooks, Coca-Cola (China) vice president, said after he donated money on behalf of his own that his company had provided beverages from Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan province, and Chongqing to the quake-hit areas.
On the same occasion, Li Lan, vice president of Lenovo also lined with other sponsor representatives to donate money. Li said over 600 staff including those at management level had rushed for blood donation.
Lenovo offered 10 million yuan (about 1.43 million U.S. dollars) on May 13 to the quake-hit areas.
On May 22, all delegates attending the 71st annual Congress of International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in Beijing made silence for all victims in the quake before the opening ceremony. AIPS President Gianni Merlo delivered the donation to China on behalf of the association.
On May 27, all participants for the IOC-BOCOG Project Review also made silence for the victims. The IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Hein Verbruggen also offered his condolences and praised the rapid reaction of the Chinese government and people, noting the unity of the nation in the reconstruction.
The U.S. Olympic Committee has offered 1,000 tents to Sichuan.
In addition, many other members of the international sports community extended their sympathy and support to China either by telephone or by mail since the earthquake, including the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of France, Thailand, Hungary as well as Japanese Sports Association.
The Olympic Family will continue its strong support for China along with the ongoing rescue and relief work, said the BOCOG.
Source: Xinhua
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