On May 12th, a hiring and donation ceremony was held in CDSU which was given by the honorary professor of the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation and the Chengdu Sports University.
At the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the International Olympic Committee, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Chairman of the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation Yu Zaiqing and Vice President of the International Olympic Committee, and founder of the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation, Juan Antonio Samaranch (hereinafter referred to as "Little Samaranch") was hired as an honorary professor at the Chengdu Sports University. Professor Shu Weiping, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of Chengdu Sports University and the president of the school, respectively issued a certificate of appointment. The Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President Xu Wanbing read out the decision to accept the appointment, and Li Zaihui, Director of the International office, presided over the ceremony.
In his speech, Professor Shu Weiping said that Mr. Yu Zaiqing and Mr. Samaranch's broad international vision and abundant international work experience will provide invaluable experience and important guidance for Chengdu Sports University to promote the construction of a world-class sport university. He said that the school will comply with the new requirements of the development in the field of education and sports in China, conform to the new trend of sports culture exchanges around the world, and follow the new engine of regional economic society and world famous cities, opening the "Samaranchi-During Time" officially. Work hand-in-hand with the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation to create a better future under the guidance of a faster, higher and stronger Olympic spirit.
In his speech, Little Samaranch said that he was honored to be appointed as an honorary professor of the Chengdu Sports University and would engrave the honor given by the school on his mind. He shared the friendship between the Samaranch family and Chengdu for more than 30 years and fully appreciated the contributions of Chengdu and Chengdu Sports University in sports development and sports culture construction. He particularly emphasized that the Olympic spirit is not just a sport, but a combination of culture and sports. The Olympic spirit is not only a competition, but more of honor, respect, teamwork, and self-construction. To become a better self, we need everyone to actively learn and work hard, actively surpass ourselves and promote the development of sports in the future.
On behalf of the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation, Yu Zaiqing donated a set of Olympic Games official limited edition 100-year Olympic poster to the Chengdu Sports University. This poster is only total 6 sets nationwide, reflecting the development history of the 100-year Olympic Games and the unique cultural charm by dozens of global cities which ever held the Olympics games.
Little Samaranch donated a limited edition memoir of the International Olympic Committee Chairman of the 21st Anniversary of World Sports for the 21st year in Beijing, which was published in Beijing on May 10th by little Samaranch’s father, the late International Olympic Committee President Samaranch. Professor Liu Qing, secretary of the Party Committee of Chengdu Sports University, accepted the donation on behalf of the school. The school will permanently collect this set of posters and the signature version of Samaranch in Chengdu Sport University Museum.
On behalf of the Chengdu Sport University, Professor Liu Qing returned to the International Olympic Committee and the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation a Chinese painting entitled " The land is so rich in beauty " created by the famous Chinese landscape painter who also is the visiting professor of the Chengdu Sport Universty, Mr. Wu Yaming.
Students from the School of Art and Wushu College performed Chinese and foreign folk dances and Chinese traditional martial arts. Yu Zaiqing and Little Samaranch also visited the Chengdu Sports University Museum. Little Samaranch likes the contents of the museum very much. He is very amazed at the many traditional sports in ancient China, and he experienced the potting movement. He took special photos in the polo, pipa and smashing pill units and said he would send them to his friends. He emotionally said: "I really like this museum!" The school leaders and the guests had a cordial exchange. In the next step, the two sides will give full play to their respective advantages, carry forward the Olympic spirit, carry out various forms of cooperation and exchanges, and constantly promote the development of the Olympic Movement.
Party Secretary and Director Luo Dongling of Sichuan Sports Bureau, Chen Xingdong, member of the Party Committee of Sichuan Sports Bureau, Yang Haiyi, Party Secretary of Sichuan Sports Bureau, Vice Minister of Propaganda Department of Chengdu Municipal Committee, Director of Chengdu Network Information Office Zeng Yi, Chengdu Sports Bureau Party Secretary, Director Xiong Yan, some members of the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation and nearly 200 representatives of teachers and students of the Chengdu Sports University attended the ceremony.
It is reported that the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation was established in 2012. It is a national non-public fundraising foundation registered with the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs and headed by the State Sports General Administration of China, initiated by the Samaranch family. The Foundation aims to inherit the spirit of Mr. Samaranch, the old friend of the Chinese people, to continue his deep friendship with China, to promote the development of China's sports culture, to spread the Olympic ideal, and to promote international sports culture exchanges.
