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BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- 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.
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