Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games (BOCOG), said here on Friday that the century-old dream for Chinese people has been fulfilled at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games.

"Hosting an Olympic Games has been a century-old dream for the Chinese nation. For seven years, ever since Beijing won its Olympic bid, the hearts of 1.3 billion Chinese people have been pulsating in unison with the Olympic Movement," Liu said when making a speech at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Liu extend his warmest welcome to athletes, coaches and guests from across the globe in his speech.

"Through the guidance of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the dedication of the Chinese government and the enthusiasm of the Chinese people, the Olympic spirit has soared to new heights on this vast land," he added.

The Chinese government and people have fulfilled each and every commitment they made to the international community, and have spared no effort in preparing for the Games by firmly adopting the concepts of "Green Olympics, High-Tech Olympics and the People's Olympics", Liu said.

Liu said in his speech that the helping hand given by the international society and the IOC shortly after the Sichuan earthquake has heightened the morale of the Chinese nation in the reconstruction of quake-stricken areas and "boosted our confidence and determination in staging successful Games."

"The charm of the Olympic Games dwells in its extraordinary inclusiveness," said Liu, adding that today, people of different nations and religious backgrounds coming from 204 countries and regions have gathered under the Olympic flag to celebrate this grand gala of humankind.

The quintessence of the Olympic spirit is embodied in the pursuit for a better life and in the realisation of self-improvement and self-transcendence, said Liu.

A prime mission of the Beijing Olympic Games is to enhance cultural exchanges between peoples in the world, he said. "We sincerely hope that the time-honored Chinese civilisation, the vibrant palette of urban and cultural lives in China and the hospitality of the Chinese people, will leave you all with warm and indelible memories of the country."

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)