Special report:   2008 Olympic Games   

The national flag of Benin is raised up at the Olympic Village in Beijing, China, July 29, 2008. The Beninese Olympic delegation held the flag-raising ceremony at the Olympic Village in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xu Jiajun) Photo Gallery>>>

 

    BEIJING, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Benin became the first foreign delegation to raise flag in the Beijing Olympic Village on Tuesday.     

    Chen Zhili, mayor of the Village, made a welcome speech and presented a souvenir to Benin's chef de mission, Charles Nobre.

    Small country located in West Africa, Benin sends a 15-member delegation to the Beijing Olympics. Its five athletes will compete in athletics, swimming and taekwondo.

    For Fabienne Fereaz, the Beijing Olympics will give her a good chance to know better about China's culture.

    "It's my first time in Beijing. When I was in France, I watched many Chinese movies", said the athlete who will participate in women's 200 meters race.

    "I hope that I will have time to visit the Great Wall," she said.

    The Olympic Village officially opened on Sunday when the delegation of host China checked in the 66-hectare compound.

Members of the Beninese Olympic delegation attend the flag-raising ceremony at the Olympic Village in Beijing, China, July 29, 2008.  (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Photo Gallery>>>

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