Olympic athletes receive honors

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Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with gold medal winner Cheng Fei before the awarding meeting for people  who made outstanding contributions to the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 29, 2008.(Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

President Hu Jintao extended congratulations to all of the Olympic and Paralympic athletes. He also thanked the thousand of workers who built the Olympic venues along with volunteers, soldiers, police officers and everyone else contributing to the spectacular success of the games.

Hu Jintao said the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games is the result of China's increasing national strength, hard-work by members of all ethnic groups, and cooperation with the international community.

Representatives of prize-winning teams and organizations attend the awarding meeting for people who made  outstanding contributions to the Beijing Olympics and  Paralympics is held at the Great Hall of the People in  Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 29, 2008. The central authorities awarded 340 teams or organizations as well as 566 individuals for their outstanding work for the Olympics and Paralympics during the meeting held here on Monday.  (Xinhua Photo)

President Hu Jintao said, "What we must remember is that during preparations for the Beijing Olympic games, a devastating earthquake hit China's Sichuan province, killing over 70-thousand people and causing great damage to our economy and society. After the tragedy, the whole nation united together to overcome difficulties, and we also received a lot of help from the international community. The Chinese people turned their sorrow into strength. We not only rebuilt our homeland, but also held a high-quality Olympic and Paralympic games. This has demonstrated that the Chinese people will never give up."