He Zhenliang: China鈥檚 Sports Diplomat

cctv.com 05-18-2004 11:51

鈥淚 am proud of my country. I am proud of my people鈥 These are the words of He Zhenliang, China鈥檚 representative to the International Olympics Committee, upon hearing Beijing had won the bid for the 2008 Olympics. A true patriot representing China and the Chinese people, He Zhenliang and the result of his work will affect China鈥檚 development and growth in the 21st century.

He Zhenliang's profile

He Zhenliang: honorary chairman of China's Olympic Committee, advisor of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG). He was elected a member of the International Olympic Committee in 1981, a member of the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee in 1985 and vice-chairman of the International Olympic Committee in 1989.

Born

December 29, 1929 in Shangyu County, Zhejiang Province

Marital status

Married to Liang Lijuan; one son (He Yang), one daughter (He Zhen)

Education

Electrical Engineering degree from Aurore University (Shanghai); Professor of Philology and International Affairs; Doctor Honoris Causa

Languages

Chinese, French, English

Career

Engineer; Vice-Minister; Member of Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (1993-1998); Vice-Minister in charge of the State Commission on Physical Education and Sport of the People's Republic of China (1985-1994)

Sports practiced

Table tennis, tennis, swimming, football, basketball, golf

Sports administration

Secretary General of the NOC (1982-1986), Vice-President (1986-1989), then President (1989-1994), now Honorary President; Advisor to the National Sports Federation of China (1997-); President of the Chinese Athletics Association (1992-1996) and of the Chinese Rowing Association (1986-); President of the Asian Rowing Association (1990-1994)

Distinctions

Life-time Achievement Award, more prestigious award in sport in People's Republic of China (2002-)

Historical IOC

Member of the Executive Board (1985-1989, 1994-1998, 1999-2003); Vice-President of the IOC (1989-1993); Chairman of the Cultural Commission (1995-1999) and of the Commission for Culture of Olympic Education (2000-); Vice-Chairman of the Sport for All Commission (1985-1987); member of the following Commissions: Olympic Solidarity (1981-1987), Olympic Movement (1985-1999), Apartheid and Olympism (1989-1992), Council of the Olympic Order (1989-1993), Preparation of the XII Olympic Congress (1990-1993), Study of the Centennial Olympic Congress, Congress of Unity (1994-1996), "IOC 2000" (1999), IOC 2000 Reform Follow-up (2002-)