Former Chinese sports official Rong Gaotang passed away Wednesday in Beijing, at the age of 94.

Rong Gaotang.[Wenweipo/File Photo]
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Rong Gaotang was born in Bazhu of Hebei province in 1912. He was named the vice-chairman of the All China Sports Federation and headed the Chinese delegation who participated at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
He was elected secretary-general of the National Committee for Physical Education and Sport after the Olympic Games and appointed the vice president of the committee in 1979. He has worked as an advisor to the committee since August 1981.
Rong Gaotang is regarded as a great contributor to the Chinese sports.
He was awarded a silver Olympic Order by former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch in 1983 in recognition of his contributions to China's sports development. This was the first time a Chinese sports leader ever won such a great honor.