In 1908, Tianjin Youth magazine posed the question to the Chinese people: When can China host the Olympic Games?

 

The answer, of course, is a century later.

 

The 100-year-old dream of hosting the Olympic Games started more than half a century ago, when the legendary "Flying Finn" Paavo Nurmi - winner of nine gold medals in the 1920s - carried the flame into the Olympic stadium in Helsinki and lit the torch to start the Games of the 15th Olympiad.

 

That's a special memory etched in the minds of He Zhenliang and the Chinese Olympic movement.

 

It was 1952, and New China had been in existence for only three years having overcome the struggles and adversity of civil war.

 

And He was among the People's Republic of China delegation which traveled to Finland to witness the Games, not participate.

 

It was the nation's first involvement in the modern Olympic movement and He, then a 21-year-old, accompanied the delegation as the French interpreter. Helsinki was the event that would change his life and spark a dream that has taken more than 55 years to come true.

 

He is now a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and chairman of IOC Culture and Olympic Education Commission. The 76-year-old has devoted all his efforts and most of his life for realizing China's Olympic dream. "As an IOC member, the realization of the dream for China is a singular privilege and honor," He said.

 

In the late 1940s, He graduated from University Aurora in Shanghai with a major in electrical engineering. In 1950, He was transferred from the university to the International Relations Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, which was in charge of the sports affairs in China at that time.

 

In 1955, He was moved to the National Sports Commission, the former State General Administration of Sport, and began his sports career, which he describes as "a happy accident."

 

"I could say that it is not me that chose sport, but sport that chose me," He said.

 

After successfully hosting the 11th Asian Games in 1990, Beijing was to win the right to host the 2000 Olympics. Bidding started in 1990 and Beijing's strong candidacy impressed many IOC members.

 

However, in September 1993, Sydney was chosen to host the 2000 Olympic Games beating Beijing by only two votes.

 

As the standing vice president of Beijing's bidding committee, He felt sad but refused to call it a failure. "Australia bid for the Games thrice; and as it won lots of sympathy votes, Beijing lost to Sydney by only two. We achieved that at our first bid, so we can't call it a failure," He said.

 

Five years later, China started its second bid to host the world's biggest sporting event and He joined the bidding campaign, despite already having retired from the administrative position.

 

"I said that no matter what position I was appointed to in the bidding committee or whether I hold any position or not, I will try my best for the bidding."

 

His effort was rewarded in 2001 when at the 112th IOC Session in Moscow, the Chinese capital was awarded the right to host the Games.

 

"It's a unique opportunity for IOC, China, as well as the whole world," He said. "IOC could spread the Olympic spirit to the largest extent ever and China could further develop its economy and improve people's living standards."

 

Being a consultant and executive member of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), He's biggest wish is to witness a unique Olympic Games in 2008.

 

And standing alongside him would be his wife.

 

"My wife is nearly 80 years old and she is keen to be one of the volunteers for the Beijing Games," He said, smiling.

 

"I hope her Olympic experience, knowledge and good relations with wives of IOC officials will benefit BOCOG."

 

He's wife Liang Lijuan was formerly a journalist at People's Daily.

 

He, who has headed IOC Culture and Olympic Education Commission for 10 years, is also keeping an eye on the educational and cultural activities and is satisfied with Beijing's job.

 

"Beijing has done a very good job, especially in the aspect of Olympic education. Its achievement is much bigger than at any other Olympic Games," He commented.

 

"The various cultural activities held by BOCOG are also very good because they are open for participation by common people."

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But He urged sports officials to pay attention to the education of athletes and their life after their retirement, which is also a mission for He's commission.

"Sports officials should know that their task is not just training competing machines, but teaching athletes how to lead dignified lives in society after they retire."

 

(China Daily January 5, 2007)