Succeeding Jackie Chen, the international renowned film star, another four Chinese sports and film stars have been appointed image ambassadors of Beijing in its 2008 Olympic bid. They are Deng Yaping, Gong Li, Yang Lan and Sang Lan, as announced by Liu Jingmin, executive vice president of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee.

All the four Olympic image ambassadors are female. Deng Yaping, China's most prominent table tennis player, has won four gold medals in Olympic Games, now a member on the International Olympics Committee. Gong Li, an international celebrated film star, the first Chinese has been invited to serve as president of the International Jury for the 50th International Film Festival of Berlin. Yang Lan, anchorwoman on Hong Kong Phoenix, now chairman of Sun Television Cybernetworks Co Ltd., has won great success in her career. Sang Lan, China's excellent gymnast who was severely injured and paralyzed as she represented China to attend the Goodwill Games in America, captures the hearts of people for her strong stamina and optimistic spirit.

(People's Daily 01/16/01)