Friend of China

Terpstra studied the Chinese language and culture at university. Her dream then was to be a diplomat in the Far East.

"I have always been fascinated by the Chinese culture, especially the ancient Chinese arts. I am also attached to Buddhism," she said.

Terpstra didn't become an ambassador to China, but her Chinese knowledge comes in handy when the Olympics go to China. "Wo shi ni men de peng you (I am your friend)," Terpstra said in Chinese.

When she studied sinology at the Leiden University in 1962, there were only three students in her class, but now there are hundreds of students each year.

Terpstra visited China many times, and what struck her most were the dramatic changes in the country in the past decades.

"When I first went to Beijing in 1978, there were no cars, no highways, and bicycles were everywhere. Chinese people were dressed in the Mao Zedong suits," she recalled.

Then she witnessed amazing changes in the past couple of years. "It was a miracle what's going on in China. It's absolutely great, " she said.

No political remarks from athletes

Terpstra said it's a pity that there have been so much discussions in the West about human rights issues in China that the brilliance of the Games has been somewhat overshadowed.

"The Chinese government has made so much an effort to make the Olympics a success," She said. "I really hope there will be a big success."

Terpstra said that during the Olympic Games Dutch athletes are not allowed to make political statements, take part in political demonstrations or wear T shirts with political slogans.

"These rules are written in the Olympic Charter and have been implemented for many years. This has nothing to do with China," she said.

"We expect our athletes to stick to the rules: There should be no political actions whatsoever in the Olympic village or other venues," she said.

If any athlete is found breaching the rules, he or she will be immediately suspended for the remainder of the Games, she said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2008)