STATE HEAD MEETS IOC PRESIDENT

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /MONTSAME/ The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj met on Tuesday, August 23 Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in the Government House.
Beginning the meeting, the State Head thanked Mr. Rogge for visiting Mongolia, and said Mongolia has an aspiration to host the Olympic Games and other biggest sport games. The State Head and the IOC president mentioned about signing of a document that guaranteed a wish of the Mongolian President to host the 2017 East Asian Games, 2022 Asian Games, and 2040 Summer Olympic Games.
"Mongolians have centuries of traditions in sports such as horse-race, archery and wrestling. In other words, sport is very close to lifestyle of Mongolians. Our athletes confirmed their potential for brilliant success at Olympic Games during the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Not only Olympic athletes, but also all Mongolians and the state are intensively preparing for the London Olympic Games. We are paying a special attention towards development of the physical culture and sports, propagandizing Olympic ideas and encouraging athletes," the State Head said.
In turn, Mr. Rogge appreciated the great aspiration of Mongolia to host Olympic Games, and then hoped Mongolia would reach its purpose. He wished Mongolian Olympic athletes gain success at the London Olympic Games, and then confirmed his willingness to visit again Mongolia next year.
Present at the meeting were S.Lambaa, the Minister of Health; G.Zandanshatar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; D.Zagdsuren, the president of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee (MonNOC); J.Otgontsagaan, the MonNOC secretary-general; J.Khatanbaatar, a member of MonNOC Governing Board; D.Baatarjav, a Paralympic champion for archery; and other officials.
B.Khuder