Yang Lan's Speech at IOC 112th Session
Many people are fascinated
by China's sport legends in history.
For example, back to Song Dynasty,
which was in the 11th century,
people in our country started to play a game called Cuju,
which is regarded as the origin of ancient football.
There are a lot more wonderful and exciting events
waiting for you in the New Beijing,
a modern metropolis
with 3,000 years of cultural treasures
woven into the urban tapestry.
Along with the iconic imagery of the Forbidden City,
the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall,
the city also offers an endless mixture
of theatres, museums, discos,
all kinds of restaurants and shopping malls
which will amaze you and delight you.
But beyond all that,
this is a city of millions of friendly people
who love to meet people from around the world.
They believe if the 2008 Olympics is held in Beijing,
it will help to enhance the harmony
between our culture and diverse cultures of the world,
and guarantee their gratitude will pour out
in open expressions of affection
for you and the great Movement that you guide.
With a concept inspired by the famed Silk Road,
our Torch Relay will break new ground,
traveling from Olympia
through some of the oldest civilizations known to man-
Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Byzantine, Mesopotamian,
Persian, Arabian, Indian and Chinese.
Carrying the message "Share the Peace, Share the Olympics,"
the eternal flame will reach new heights
as it crosses the Himalayas over the world's highest summit-
Mount Qomolangma,
which is known to many of you as Mt. Everest.
In China, the torch will pass through Tibet,
cross Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, travel the Great Wall
and visit Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan
and 56 ethnic communities who make up our society.
On its journey, the flame will be seen by
and inspire more human beings than any previous relay.
I am afraid I can not give you
the full picture of our cultural programs
within such a short period of time.
Before I end, let me share with you one story.
Seven hundred years ago,
amazed by his incredible description
of a far away land of great beauty,
people asked Marco Polo
whether his stories about China were true.
And Marco answered:
What I have told you was not even half of what I saw.
Actually, what we have shown you here today
is only a fraction of Beijing that awaits you.