Mia Farrow to Head Beijing Olympic Committee
Chinese President Hu Jintao lit the Olympic torch yesterday at a welcome ceremony in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Then hurdler Liu Xiang, China's best hope for a gold medal, ran through Tiananmen Gate holding the torch aloft.
This marked the beginning of the round the world relay that will carry the torch to many countries and cities.
Following the ceremony, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping announced to a packed news conference that the head of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Liu Qi, would be stepping down from his post immediately as he wished "to spend more time with his family."
In his place, effective immediately, actress and activist Mia Farrow was named as the official head of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee. "We have been in negotiations with Ms. Farrow's agent for several weeks," Xi Jinping told the stunned crowd, "and have at long last reached terms."
Aside from an unprintable comment about Hollywood agents, he would not elaborate any further.
Hein Verbruggen, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission, who also attended the news conference, admitted to being surprised, but recovered nicely and said that he had "the utmost confidence in Ms. Farrow."
In this capacity, Ms. Farrow will oversee the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on August 8th, 2008. She will be seated at the right of President Hu Jintao at the Ceremony.
© Beijing-Visitor.com
