IPC President visits Asian Games booth

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), took a moment to visit the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games booth during the recent Sport Accord 2009 conference held in Denver.

Sir Philip spoke with representatives of GAGOC about his special relationship with China since last summer's Paralympic Games of 2008 and expressed his best wishes and expectations for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games and the Asian Para Games.

The Craven couple and 5 Yang (羊，legendary / celestial goat)

Ms. Zeng Weiyu, Vice Director of Games Communication & Promotion Department of GAGOC introduces preparations to Sir. Philip Craven.

Ms. Zeng Weiyu, Vice Director of Games Communication & Promotion Department of GAGOC sends gifts to Sir Philip Craven.

President Hu Jintao introduced Guangzhou Asian Para Games

"During the Paralympic Games, China's President Hu Jintao promised (during the banquet held in the Great Hall of the People), that the Asian Para Games would be a major event in China with the Beijing Paralympic Games marking the first step," said Sir Phillip, who added that he has been looking forward to the Guangzhou Asian Para Games since then.

Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games

Sir Philip added that, hospitality of the Chinese people was impressive and he even felt a bit lost when the Paralympic Games was over. A few days before the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, he had the chance to come Guangzhou to attend the 2008 International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport and Guangzhou left a wonderful impression for him. Therefore, "the first booth I would go must be Guangzhou Asian Games since I want to say 'Hello' to Guangzhou," said Sir Phillip.

Planning to attend Guangzhou Asian Games and Guangzhou Asian Para Games

Sir Philip learned about preparations of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games from GAGOC. The 16^th Asian Games will be held from November 12 through 27, while the 10^th Asian Para Games will be from December 12 to 27. Guangzhou is known as the Flower City, with pleasant weather in winter – perfectly suitable for major sporting events. GAGOC sent 5 yang (羊，legendary / celestial goat) to Sir Philip as gifts and he really showed his appreciation and fondness for the mascots. He added that if time permits, he will certainly be in Guangzhou for the Games.

Spreading the Olympic Spirit

In an exclusive interview, Sir Philip said that, the great success of the Paralympic Games of 2008 was that the toughness and inner strength showed by Paralympic athletes and pursuit for excellence really moved and inspired people around the world. China's passion and support for the Paralympic Games was one that he would forever remember in his heart and he hoped that the Asian Para Games would likewise be successful.

A language addict

"Before the Beijing 2009 Olympic Games I learned a few words of Mandarin," said Sir Philip. At the Sport Accord booth, he began learning a few words of Cantonese from the GAGOC staff with great ease, including "Nihao" (hello) and “Xie Xie Guangzhou” (thank you, Guangzhou) were Sir Phillip Craven's best wishes and regards for the Guangzhou people and the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games and the 10^th Asian Para Games.