金台艺术馆

Dongsi Olympic Community is located in the central part of Dongcheng District of Beijing, while Dongsi Olympic Community Park is situated to the east of the Dongsi Olympics Community, occupying an area of 10,800 m2. In the Park there are three groups of large-size sculptures ── “Olympic Big Family”, “Sacred Flame” and “trend of Olympics”. It is the first free community park in China with the theme of developing Olympic spirit. The park is receiving community residents and tourists in large numbers from all over the country and the world with its “graceful bearing” and has become one of the city’s scenic sights along the 2nd Ring Road, East, in the capital.

On August 28, at the invitation of the residents in Dongsi, director of Jintai Art Museum, Mr. Yuan Xikun ‘s sculptures of Coubertin, Samaranch and Rogge made their debut in the Olympic Community Park for free visits by athletes of the Paralympics and community residents. The sculpture of Coubertin sitting is 195 cm high, and the granite base is 70 cm in height. The sculptures of Samaranch and Rogge are busts. They are 68 cm and 65 high respectively, and the granite base is 120 cm in height.

A Corner of Beijing Dongsi Olympics Community Park

The appearance of the three sculptures of the three important figures who have made contributions to modern Olympics aims to demonstrate that what matters to Olympics is to participate in it, uplift the physical calibers of all the nationals and fulfil Marshel He Long’s vow of “working hard to bring about an upswing in basketball, volley ball and football”.

The story of the sculpture of Rogge started in August 2003. International Olympic Committee Rogge President for Mr. Yuan Xikun wsa invited which is regarded as the most precious jade in China, to paint a ink-and-water portrait. The head of the portrait was engraved on a seal of Hetian jade. It was presented to Mr. Rogge as a gift at the unveiling ceremony of the emblem of Beijing Olympics. Mr. Rogge was very happy about that special gift. It was on that occasion that Mr. Yuan met Mr. Rogge for the first time. This year residents in Dongsi District wrote to Mr. He Zhenliang, hoping to see sculptures of VIPs of Olympics with Mr. Rogge included in their community park. Mr. He told Mr. Rogge about the request. The latter readily agreed and offered several photos for the creation.

Invited by the residents in Dongsi District, Mr. Samaranch will be coming to the Olympic Community Park to cut the ribbon for the three sculptures this noon.

Mr. Samaranch Cuts the Ribbon for the Sculptures of the Three Great Figures of Olympics ──Coubertin, Samaranch and Rogge

It is a glorious day with the sun shining brightly. The autumn air is crisp. Accompanied by Yang Yiwen, chief of Dongcheng District, Deng Yaping, spokeswoman of Olympic Village, arrived first. Mr. Yuan Xikun gave them a brief introduction to the three pieces of sculpture works. The sculpture of Coubertin, founding father of modern Olympics, is in the middle, while the sculptures of Samaranch and Rogge are on the right and left respectively.

Mr. Samaranch and his party arrived at about 12:30. Accompanied by people concerned, he came to the sculptures. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony he made a brief speech. The gist is as follows:

Very happy to be with you all. I congratulate the success of Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. China has displayed to the world the best Olympics and Paralympics. I am proud of it. Today I am especially happy to meet old friends of mine. I am always a friend of the Chinese people …..

Afterwards, accompanied by Mr. Yang Yiwen and Mr. Yuan Xikun, Mr. Samaranch put down his autograph in the visitors’ book as a momento. His fingerprint was kept. In high spirits Mr. Samaranch went back to have a serious look at the sculptures again. Ms. Deng Yaping told Mr. Yuan, Samaranch appreciates the sculpture of Cobertin in particular. Mr. Yuan then told Mr. Samaranch that it was made of pure bronze. Another sculpture had already arrived at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. With quite a relish Mr. Samaranch knocked on one leg of Cobertin’s to respond to Mr. Yuan Xikun. When they came to the front of the sculpture of Samaranch, unexpectedly a beam of bright sunlight shone on the sculpture which had been under dense shade. The golden sunlight made the sculpture more sacred. Mr. Samaranch smiled, holding firmly Mr. Yuan Xikun’s hand.

Accompanied by Mr. Yuan Xikun and Ms. Deng Yaping, Mr. Samaranch Looks at the Sculpture of Samaranch Appreciatively

Mr. Yuan Xikun recalls his four encounters with Mr. Samaranch during the Olympics: On August 10, at the reception given by the Polish Embassy to China in honor of its athletes and members of International Olympic Committee; on August 11, he cut the ribbon together with Mr. Samaranch for the Olympic Fine Arts Conference; on the same day, Mr. Yuan showed Mr. Samaranch around again at Jintai Art Museum; on August 28, the residents in Dongsi District offered the two old friends a chance to see each other again. It must be fate.