On Sept 20, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., vice-president of International Olympic Committee (IOC) and founder of Samaranch Sports Development Foundation, paid a visit to Beijing International Studies University (BISU). Accompanied by Chang Yu, secretary of the CPC BISU Committee, he visited the university history museum, observed the Spanish class and had a friendly conversation with university volunteers of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. A meeting was then held between Samaranch Jr. and Chang.        

Samaranch Jr. (left two) visits the university history museum. 

In the university history museum, Samaranch Jr. learned about BISU's history, internationalization, disciplines and social services, and talked with two volunteers of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, reminiscing about their work and life in the Winter Olympic village. 

He also watched a short video about the first summer program on "An Overview of Modern China and City Development", which introduces the important role BISU plays in building Beijing into an international exchange center and in promoting exchanges and mutual learning of city development experience. 

Li Meiting, who once had a snowball fight with Samaranch Jr. (right), sends him their photo as a gift.

In the simultaneous interpreting classroom, Samaranch Jr. observed a Spanish class and listened to the students' group discussion. He highly praised the students' fluent Spanish and their active participation in class, and engaged them by asking them to share their views on the Olympic spirit. 

Samaranch Jr. interacts with students in class.

"I have participated in many forums these years, and I think that your excellent speeches today are as wonderful as those delivered in a high-level forum," said Samaranch Jr. after observing the Spanish class, who hailed its breadth, depth and spirit of humanity. He pointed out that before achieving success, athletes must undergo hardship. They make great efforts in this process and their spirit is honorable. As an IOC officer who has a command of multiple languages, Samaranch Jr. encouraged BISU students to actively learn and master foreign languages. "Talking with others in their mother tongue is the best way to have effective communication." While encouraging students to do sports, he also told them not to forget their most important task - to study hard.      

A meeting was held then, on which Chang and Samaranch Jr. further discussed how the two sides can work together to jointly promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges. 

Zheng Chengjun, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC BISU Committee and vice-president of the university and representatives of other departments attended the activities.