2010-04-22 16:35

BEIJING: Chinese president Hu Jintao sent a condolence letter to IOC president Jacques Rogge on Thursday, expressing the deepest condolences and most sincere sympathy to the family of Juan Antonio Samaranch.

"It is with great sadness that I am shocked to learn of the passing away of Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch," president Hu said.

Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee from 1980-2001, died in a hospital in Barcelona on Wednesday at 89.

"On behalf of the Chinese people and in my own name, may I avail myself of this opportunity to express our deepest condolences and most sincere sympathy to the family of Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch," the Chinese president said in the condolence letter.

"As a preeminent leader of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Samaranch has dedicated his whole life to the reform and development of modern Olympic Movement.

"Highly recognized by peoples across the world, Mr. Samaranch has made unremitting efforts in promoting the Olympic spirit featuring solidarity, friendship and peace, and in achieving greater prosperity of the Olympic Movement.

"Mr. Samaranch is an old friend and good friend of the Chinese people. During his lifetime, he has made outstanding contributions to the resumption of China's legal status in the International Olympic Committee, to the deepening of exchanges and cooperation between China and the International Olympic Committee, and to the friendship and cooperation between China and Spain and the peoples of the two countries.

"We will cherish all this for ever.

"The Chinese government will, as ever, support the Chinese sport community in cementing the exchanges and cooperation with the International Olympic Committee and sport communities of all countries, and enhance the understanding and friendship between Chinese people and people of all countries throughout the world."