Thank You Beijing!

The President of the Beijing 2008 Organising Committee (BOCOG), Liu Qi, today received the Olympic Order in Gold from the hands of International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) President Jacques Rogge in recognition of all the hard work that went into putting on these truly exceptional Games. This was China’s last gold medal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games but perhaps its most important one because after seven years of intense preparations, BOCOG and China has offered to the world 16 days of exciting Olympic sports competitions, supported by smooth operations - a success which has permitted the athletes to achieve their best in optimal conditions.

At the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Games, President Rogge thanked the people of China, BOCOG and, of course, the wonderful volunteers for their tremendous work and support for the Games. This thanks was echoed from all corners of the Olympic Movement. From the athletes to the International Sports Federations via the media and Games sponsors, everyone has praised the standard of these Games and the hospitality of the Chinese people. The presenting of the Olympic Order in Gold is another sign of the thanks that the IOC wished to give to its Chinese friends. Thank you China, thank you Beijing!

In addition to the Olympic Order in Gold that was presented to President Liu Qi, 14 members of the Beijing Organising Committee’s senior leadership were presented with the Olympic Order in Silver and a further 90 members of BOOCG received the Olympic rings. These awards underline the great work done by the whole of the Beijing 2008 organisation in putting on these Games.