Opening Remarks of President Roh Moo-hyun at the 15th General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees
Good morning. It is our great pleasure that the 15th General Assembly of ANOC is being held in Seoul. I am much privileged to meet on this occasion so many sports leaders from around the world. Together with the Korean people, I extend a wholehearted welcome to all of you.
ANOC has greatly contributed to reconciliation and peace of the humankind, realizing the sublime ideal of the Olympic Games. Along with the IOC, ANOC is now at the center of the international sports arena, bringing together 203 member countries from all over the world.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to pay sincere respect for the great achievements of ANOC and the effort and dedication of all of you to make them possible. My appreciation is also extended to the President of the Korea Olympic Committee Kim Jung-kil and the organizers for their effort to make this meaningful event possible.
Distinguished guests from home and abroad,
We all share a common hope. That is to rise above conflicts and disputes to arrive at a global community of peace and coexistence.
We see in the Olympic Games a potential to make this vision a reality. The Olympics have become a focal point in bringing together the global community beyond differences in ideology, religion, nation and culture. Furthermore, athletes have deeply moved people around the world as they are doing their best regardless of the outcome.
This can be observed in the Korean history concerning the Olympic Games. In 1936, a hero of the Berlin Olympics Sohn Ki-chung imbued the Korean people with a great sense of hope and self-confidence when our country was under the Japanese colonial rule.
We are also much proud that the 1988 Seoul Olympics contributed to thawing the frozen wall of the Cold War characterized by confrontation and conflict. I vividly remember the emotions as we were singing together the theme song “Hand in hand in stand, all across the land.”
The Olympics have also played a significant role in pointing to the path of reconciliation and cooperation for Korea, the last country in the world that still remains divided. The world bestowed enthusiastic applause and praise on the athletes of South and North Korea as they marched in together under the flag of the Korean Peninsula in the Sydney Olympics, giving a tremendous encouragement to all the Korean people.
In this sense, the affection and expectation the Korean people have for the Olympics is exceptional. Through the Seoul Olympics, the 1986 ANOC General Assembly, and the 1999 IOC Session, Korea has actively participated in propagating the Olympic spirit. The Republic will continue to make its best effort for the goal of the Olympics to attain world peace and harmony.
Distinguished national delegates,
The Korean people are quite fond of festivals. We also have many experiences of hosting festivals rather well. In fact, every international festival we hosted has been a success, including the Seoul Olympics, the Universiade, and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Given an opportunity, the Korean people will become one again and rise to the occasion. I would like to request unsparing support from all of you present so that the Republic can make further contribution.
As I trust that this General Assembly will offer a valuable opportunity to further solidify goodwill and friendship among the member nations, I declare the opening of the 15th ANOC General Assembly.
Thank you.
웹사이트: http://www.president.go.kr
올인원 PR 플랫폼
반복되는 PR 업무를 자동화하고 전략에만 집중하세요
-
2008년 8월 6일 17:22
