The International Military Sports Council (CISM) held a party in the PLA Military Sports Group yesterday morning, and more than 100 representatives of military athletes from various countries participating in the Beijing Olympic Games and officials of the CISM Village attended the party.

　　In his speech, CISM President Gianni Gola spoke highly of the excellent performance of military athletes from various countries at the Beijing Olympic Games and thanked the Chinese military for the great support it rendered to the establishment of the CISM Village during the current Olympic Games. He also expressed appreciation of the great support of the Chinese military to the Beijing Olympic Games in terms of security and organizational work, etc. on behalf of the CISM.

　　At the party, Lana, a Greek military athlete, spoke on behalf of all military athletes from various countries, he thanked the CISM and the Chinese military for providing such a good opportunity for all military athletes from various countries to have a joyful get-together in a friendly atmosphere.

　　Chen Zhaohai, director of the Military Training and Arms Department of the General Staff Headquarters of the PLA, offered his congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the CISM and presented gifts to the CISM on behalf of Chen Bingde, chief of general staff of the PLA.

　　Established in 1948, the CISM is a comprehensive sports organization opening to all the armed forces in the world. At present it has 131 member states, and the Chinese PLA became a formal member of the CISM in January 1979.

　　By Luo Zheng and Liu Feng'an

　　(Aug 19, PLA Daily)                                              Editor: Dong Zhaohui