He Zhenliang was praised as a great defender of the Olympic cause
and a wise man of many qualities by Jacques Rogge, President of the
International Olympic Committee, yesterday at the launch of his
book
He Zhenliang and China's Olympic Dream in the Great
Hall of the People in Beijing.
Known as China's Mr. Olympics, He Zhenliang helped shape the
course of Chinese sports diplomacy for over 50 years, giving
direction to some of its greatest events. He was appointed to the
International Olympic Committee in 1981, became a member of the
Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee in 1985
and finally vice chairman of the International Olympic Committee in
1989. As honorary president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, he
has worked tirelessly to promote the Olympic movement and the
principles for which it stands. He has particularly worked among
young people to instill in them the spirits and ideas of the
Olympic dream.
The book He Zhenliang and China's Olympic Dream,
written by He's wife Liang Lijuan, senior journalist at the
People's Daily, chronicles He's memories of the sports
world. It provides an insider's perspective on the timeline of
China's sports history, including the fight against "two Chinas" in
international sports organizations in the 1950s, the founding of
the Games of the Newly Emerging Forces (GANEFO) in the 1960s,
China's return to the IOC Fold in the 1970s, the 1990 Beijing 11th
Asian Games, and Beijing's bids for the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games.
It also records the growth of a common boy who devoted his every
effort to sports and the Olympic cause, said Liang Lijuan at the
ceremony, adding that the book was dedicated to those who stood and
fought alongside He in every battle he faced over the course of his
lifetime.
Susan Brownell, who translated the book into English, recalled,
"I found the most frequent word in the book was the word 'work'
which helped me understand the difficulties of sports diplomacy,
and the true extent of Mr. He's achievements."
IOC President Rogge labeled the efforts "a remarkable book about
a remarkable man" who served the Olympics all his life. He added
that the Olympic Movement would not be in its current position of
strength without men like He Zhenliang.
Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the IOC, penned the
preface to the book, writing "his involvement in the Olympic
movement is in proportion with his loyalty to the Olympic Charter
and to his country."
Li Zhenguo, editor in chief of Foreign Languages Press which
published the book, addressed the launch: "This work is not merely
a tribute to Mr. He and his wife but it stands as a gift to the
Olympics and a vow of good luck for Games next year in Beijing. We
hope, that through this book, the world can gain precious insights
into sports and the Olympic movement in China."
He Zhenliang and his wife Liang Lijuan
Susan Brownell, translator of the book
Liang Lijuan with CIPG officials
Cover
(China.org.cn by Li Xiao, April 28, 2007)
