thChineseNationalGames.docVIP

JINAN: One year after the hosting of the exceptional Beijing Olympic Games, the 11th National Games, billed as Chinas mini-Olympics, opened amid a splendid ceremony here Friday evening. Chinese President Hu Jintao announces the opening of the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east Chinas Shandong Province, Oct. 16, 2009. [Xinhua] Chinese President Hu Jintao officially opened the Games at the ceremony held in the newly built Olympic Sports Complex in this capital city of east Chinas Shandong province. With 55 of all 63 Chinese Beijing Olympic champions expected to compete, the quadrennial national meet is set to stage another sports gala for the country which just celebrated its 60th birthday. Among those present at the ceremony are President of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge, who was re-elected at the 121st IOC Session held in Copenhagen just one week ago, and a dozen of IOC members. The gleams of lights from a well-decorated Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium show the full preparation of the city for the opening ceremony of the 11th National Games held in Jinan, Shandong Province Oct 16, 2009. [Xinhua]  Photo taken on Oct. 16, 2009 shows the art performance at the opening ceremony of the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east Chinas Shandong Province. [Xinhua] When addressing the full capacity of 60,000 at the ceremony, Liu Peng, director-general of State General Administration of Sports and President of the Organizing Committee of the 11th National Games, said a successful staging of the National Games will be a perfect gift dedicated to the countrys 60th birthday. The National Games has contributed a lot to the development of Chinese sport in the past 50 years. We must build on what we have achieved since the Beijing Olympics, make our country much stronger in sport and promote the national fitness program as well, Liu added. The cauldron is lit at the opening ceremony of the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, eas