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China pays tribute to Samaranch
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-21 23:03
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BEIJING - China on Wednesday paid tribute to the late former International Olympic Committee chief Juan Antonio Samaranch, naming him "an old friend of the Chinese people."
Yu Zaiqing, vice president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, said in a statement, "Samaranch is an old friend of the Chinese people. He had always hoped that China could host an Olympic Games. And his wish was finally realized in 2008. The Chinese people thank him."
Yu, who is also an International Olympic Committee vice president, added, "We want to express our deep condolences to the death of Mr. Samaranch. He made tremendous contributions to the Olympic movement."
Samaranch died earlier on Wednesday in Barcelona at 89.
