China and the Olympics
Over the past more than100 years throughout the development of the modern Olympic Games, China, with the transformation of social systems, has become one of the great Olympic powers in the world, from knowing nothing about to taking an active part in the Olympic Games.
China's connection with the Olympic Games can be traced back to the year 1895. At that time, the government of the Qing Dynasty received invitation from the crown prince of Greece and Pierre·d·Gubodan, the initiator of the modern Olympics. However, due to its ignorance of "Physical Culture", the fatuous Qing government didn't respond to it.
In 1932, Chinese sprint athlete Liu Changchun participated in the 10th Olympic Games in Los Angeles, America. This was the first time that Chinese athletes formally stood in the Olympic competition area. Liu declared to the world China's membership in the Olympics and the existence of the Olympic Games in China.
At the 49th International Olympic Committee Convention in Greece in 1954, the People's Republic of China acquired a legitimate seat in IOC.
In 1984, the 23rd Olympics was held in Los Angeles, America. Unprecedentedly, a large Chinese delegation was sent to take part in the grand event. On the first day of competition, Xu Haifeng, the shooter, won the gold at male competition of pistol slow-shooting, hence making a breakthrough in Chinese history at the Olympics.
The excellent performance of Chinese athletes at the Olympic Games proved the strength of athletic competition and athletic level of China. From the "Sick man of eastern Asia" to the world's champion, China has experienced world-shaking changes in athletics within a short period of half a century. Nowadays, physical culture has become an important part of Chinese social life.
Although we are still deeply impressed by the final result of 1993 Monte Carlo vote, it has not influenced our determination to take part in the Olympic affairs. In 1998, it was decided that the city of Beijing would apply to undertake the 2008 Olympic Games. On November 25th, Beijing officially submitted the application to the Olympic Committee of China. If held in Beijing, the 2008 Olympic Games will positively accelerate the progress of the great cause of our nation.
