Paris, June 10th, 2005 – As part of his official visit to Beijing, the Mayor of Paris and Paris 2012 President Bertrand Delanoë, today thanked a group of recognized Chinese artists who serve as members of the Club des ambassadeurs de Paris 2012, for their support of the French Bid.
The Chinese ambassadors welcomed Mr. Delanoë by wearing Paris 2012 colors and expressing further support and enthusiastic encouragement for Paris’s Bid to host 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This meeting enhances the success of the Year of France in China, during which the Paris 2012 Bid has contributed to reinforce links between the two countries.
Following the ambassadors’ meeting with Bertrand Delanoë, Mr. Lin Yi Lun, one of China’s foremost singers, said: “Like the numerous friends of Paris 2012 all around the world, I firmly believe that Paris will deliver a unique and successful Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are delighted to be part of this effort and to support Paris, and look forward to the result on July 6th”.
Bertrand Delanoë stated: “We consider the support from China represented by the ambassadors is important. Beijing will be the host to the 2008 Games previous to the 2012’s, and the pursuit to success and love to their professions presented by the ambassadors suits perfectly with Paris’ ideal to the 2012 Games.”
The encouragement from the arts community are a tribute to Pierre de Coubertin’s ideal of linking sports and culture through the Games. Paris 2012 is committed to revive this very spirit for the benefit of the event itself, the Olympic Movement and all of its participants, should Paris have the honor of being elected as host city.
This week-end, in Paris, the “Love of the Games” will also wear Chinese colors, when famous dancer and choreographer Jing Xing, an ambassador of Paris 2012, will perform at the Palais des Congrès in Paris in a visionary reinterpretation of Carl Orff’s masterpiece Carmina Burana.
About the Club des ambassadeurs de Paris 2012:
Officially created in January 2005, the Club des ambassadeurs de Paris 2012 has gathered together celebrities from all over the world who, because they have significant relationships with France or Paris, wish to contribute personally to the project.
The Paris 2012 Chinese ambassadors represent a broad range of interest areas and professions. The cultural world is represented by actress Xu Jinglei, actor Geng Le, violinist Lin Zhaoliang, dancers Ho Hong Lan and Jing Xing, singers Ding Wei and Lin Yi Lun and film director Jiang Wen. The fashion industry includes top models Lu Yan and Hu Bing. The business community is well represented by Li Dongsheng (TCL), Wang Yan (SINA.com), and Zhang Yue (Broad Air Conditioning). Media are equally involved through the support of the following press experts: Hong Huang (press group I Look), Su Mang (Bazaar Magazine), Daisy Wang (Communications Magazine) and Chen Yi (Economic Daily).
Ever since the launch of its Bid, Paris 2012 has received tremendous support from the Chinese sports, business and artistic communities. Last week, star athlete Liu Xiang, 110m hurdles Olympic Champion in Athens, also expressed his backing for the Paris Bid at a press conference.
Cultural and artistic events in France:
Having recently hosted the world famous Cannes Film Festival, France is preparing once again to offer an international celebration of culture and arts: the Fete de la Musique on June 21st.
For further information, please contact:
Paris 2012 Global Media Office
International free phone: +800 2012 2012
Within France, dial 00.800.2012.2012
media@parisjo2012.fr