BEIJING OLYMPIC VILLAGE,
9 August 2008 -
The Cyprus delegation at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
officially took up residence at the Olympic Village in
the Chinese capital, following the Welcome Ceremony held
here today, with the attendance of the President of the
Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias and the
President of the Cyprus Olympic Committee, Kikis N.
Lazarides, as well as the athletes and other officials.
"We had the raising of
the flag and the raising of our hearts," said
Christofias after the flag of Cyprus was hoisted next to
the flags of the other nations of the world
participating in the Olympic Games of Beijing.
The President of the
Cyprus Olympic Committee, Kikis N. Lazarides, and the
Head of the Cyprus Delegation at these Olympic Games,
Alecos Spanos, presented the Mayor of the Olympic
Village, Chen Zhili,
with a commemorative gift-a silver plate engraved with
the Ship of Kyrenia, a floating symbol of the history
and culture of Cyprus.
"The Olympic Games are
the glorification of the brotherhood, friendship and
peace. Cyprus is here to proudly give its own battle,"
said the President of the Republic. "Our flag paraded in
the Olympic Stadium on Friday evening at the Opening
Ceremony. Today it flies above the Olympic Village.
Cyprus is here. Present at the ultimate sporting
festival. We give our own battle on the fields of play,
but above all our battle for the re-unification of our
motherland. We seek a medal at these Olympic Games, but
above all we seek the medal of peace."
