A memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the Beijing 2008 Olympic
Youth Camp program was signed on Wednesday by the Beijing Olympic
organizers and the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF).
According to the MOA the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee
entrust the ACYF with the 21-day program, to be held from August
6-26, 2008, at China Youth Center for International Exchange.
Dong Xia, an ACYF official, said a total of 800 teenagers aged
16-18 from International Olympic Committee member countries and
regions would participate.?
"For the first time in the history of the Olympic Youth Camp 50
young people with disabilities will be invited from around the
world to participate in the activities," said Dong.
Dong explained that camp members would attend the 2008 Games'
Opening and Closing Ceremonies, sports events, some would be
selected to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay and visits to
the Olympic Village arranged for them.???
Aside from sightseeing activities and visits the campers will
also have an opportunity to participate in workshops on traditional
Chinese culture. These will include martial arts, calligraphy, folk
arts and crafts and Chinese children's games.
From the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games the Olympic Youth Camp
program has been an educational and cultural exchange program under
the Olympic banner. Since the 1960s all Olympic Games have
supported the initiative.
It's aimed at fostering exchange and friendship between young
people of various countries and educating them to understand and
carry forward the Olympic spirit.
(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2007)