In order to promote Arabic language education in Japan, the Arabic Language Olympics was held recently in Tokyo.
Students of the Arabic Islamic Institute in Tokyo and Arabic language learners took part in calligraphy, typing, speech and poem-reading competitions at the school.
The school, affiliated with Saudi Arabian Embassy, held the annual event for the second time to strengthen cultural exchanges between Saudi Arabia and Japan. Saudi Arabian Ambassador Faisal Hassan Trad was present at the event.
The school, established in 1982, currently has about 140 students. It has sent 26 volunteers to the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, in which about 200 athletes from 11 countries in the Middle East and North Africa are participating. They will work as interpreters and assist the athletes.
The school also offers classes in Arabic calligraphy, in which bamboo sticks are used, in addition to its day and evening language courses.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Dinner at The Mayor's
New York Olympic 2012 officials hosted a dinner at Mayor Bloomberg's house on Weednesday, for the visiting IOC Evaluation Commission.
The guest list included a number of Holywood stars including; Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg and Meryl Streep.
The meal's highlight was the turkey, with Bloomberg's mother's cornbread stuffing; served with personalised cookies, instead of place cards, and wine from the vineyards of New York State.
Other guests included Henry Kissinger and Barbara Walters. Paul Simon sang "The Boxer", before a firework display over the entrance to Central Park.
The guest list included a number of Holywood stars including; Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg and Meryl Streep.
The meal's highlight was the turkey, with Bloomberg's mother's cornbread stuffing; served with personalised cookies, instead of place cards, and wine from the vineyards of New York State.
Other guests included Henry Kissinger and Barbara Walters. Paul Simon sang "The Boxer", before a firework display over the entrance to Central Park.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Bush's Video Message of Support
President Bush sent a video message to the IOC Evaluation Commission yesterday, in support of New York's bid to host the 2012 Olympics.
Bush's videotaped greeting to the Evaluation Commission was sent as he was traveling in Europe. It was, by all accounts, "very warm, very friendly and very well received".
The IOC was then entertained by; Meryl Streep, Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg and heard Wynton Marsalis play at a Jazz at Lincoln Center performance. There was then a lavish fireworks display.
Bush's videotaped greeting to the Evaluation Commission was sent as he was traveling in Europe. It was, by all accounts, "very warm, very friendly and very well received".
The IOC was then entertained by; Meryl Streep, Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg and heard Wynton Marsalis play at a Jazz at Lincoln Center performance. There was then a lavish fireworks display.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
25 Year Celebration
Medalists from the 1980 Winter Olympics will be in Lake Placid tonight, for the 25th anniversary celebration.
Governor Pataki will attend a reception honoring the athletes and members of the 1980 Olympic organising committee this evening at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid. He'll also attend the celebration afterward.
The US hockey team beat the Russians and won gold at the 1980 games. Mike Eruzione and other members of the gold-medal winning hockey team will attend the ice show and celebration this evening.
Governor Pataki will attend a reception honoring the athletes and members of the 1980 Olympic organising committee this evening at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid. He'll also attend the celebration afterward.
The US hockey team beat the Russians and won gold at the 1980 games. Mike Eruzione and other members of the gold-medal winning hockey team will attend the ice show and celebration this evening.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
New York's Warm Welcome
Despite being enveloped in snow, New York gave the 13 IOC delegates a warm welcome yesterday; on their first full day in the Big Apple, to evaluate New York's bid to hold the 2012 Olympics.
The delegates were shown a video, featuring New Yorkers from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds; the message being that everyone, from anywhere in the world, would feel at home in New York.
New York is festooned with Olympic paraphernalia; billboards, bus shelters and street poles are decorated along with subway cars buses and taxis.
Paris still remains the favourite to host the 2012 Olympics, according to United Kingdom bookies; however, London increased its chances of winning after the publicity surrounding the visit of IOC officials helped lift public support.
Ladbrokes, the world's largest bookmaker, cut its odds on London hosting the 2012 Games to 2-1 from 3-1.
It lengthened the odds on favorite Paris to 4-9 from 1-4. New York is fourth at 16-1.
The delegates were shown a video, featuring New Yorkers from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds; the message being that everyone, from anywhere in the world, would feel at home in New York.
New York is festooned with Olympic paraphernalia; billboards, bus shelters and street poles are decorated along with subway cars buses and taxis.
Paris still remains the favourite to host the 2012 Olympics, according to United Kingdom bookies; however, London increased its chances of winning after the publicity surrounding the visit of IOC officials helped lift public support.
Ladbrokes, the world's largest bookmaker, cut its odds on London hosting the 2012 Games to 2-1 from 3-1.
It lengthened the odds on favorite Paris to 4-9 from 1-4. New York is fourth at 16-1.
Monday, February 21, 2005
New York Under Review
The IOC inspection team is now in New York, reviewing the bid proposal to host the 2012 Olympics.
The organisers of New York's bid to host the 2012 Olympics are reportedly promising to put on a dazzling show for the inspection team.
They have planned a four day sales campaign, to win the hearts and minds of the 13 member International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission.
The commission flew directly to New York, following their evaluation visit to London. Earlier this month they launched their five city tour by visiting Madrid.
An advertising blitz, scattered sports exhibitions and a jazz concert honouring the IOC visit are part of the sales pitch.
There has been significant political in-fighting, over plans to build a new stadium to host opening and closing ceremonies and the athletics competition.
Opponents of the stadium plan say the city should wait until the IOC makes its decision on the 2012 Games in July.
There are also concerns over the environmental impact of the 17 million gallon oil spill, underground, in the area next to the planned Olympic Village.
The organisers of New York's bid to host the 2012 Olympics are reportedly promising to put on a dazzling show for the inspection team.
They have planned a four day sales campaign, to win the hearts and minds of the 13 member International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission.
The commission flew directly to New York, following their evaluation visit to London. Earlier this month they launched their five city tour by visiting Madrid.
An advertising blitz, scattered sports exhibitions and a jazz concert honouring the IOC visit are part of the sales pitch.
There has been significant political in-fighting, over plans to build a new stadium to host opening and closing ceremonies and the athletics competition.
Opponents of the stadium plan say the city should wait until the IOC makes its decision on the 2012 Games in July.
There are also concerns over the environmental impact of the 17 million gallon oil spill, underground, in the area next to the planned Olympic Village.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
An Inspector Calls
The IOC 2012 Olympic bid evaluation team are now in London. Their evaluation will last for four days, and constitutes the second stop of their five city tour.
Lord Coe, the former Olympic champion, is heading London's bid team. His task is to convince the inspectors London has the desire, and the ability, to host the Games.
The evaluation team, which started in Madrid, will next travel to New York, then Paris before finishing in Moscow in mid-March. The IOC will announce the winning city in Singapore on July 6.
London has spent much of its campaign lagging behind the recognised front runner Paris, which already has a stadium.
London's very obvious Achilles heal is its transport system, described rather politely as "often obsolete"; additionally, Londoners really do not want the Games in the city.
Coe argues that London's transport problems have been dealt with.
Tell that to the hapless commuters who have to suffer the delays, and overcrowding every day!
Lord Coe, the former Olympic champion, is heading London's bid team. His task is to convince the inspectors London has the desire, and the ability, to host the Games.
The evaluation team, which started in Madrid, will next travel to New York, then Paris before finishing in Moscow in mid-March. The IOC will announce the winning city in Singapore on July 6.
London has spent much of its campaign lagging behind the recognised front runner Paris, which already has a stadium.
London's very obvious Achilles heal is its transport system, described rather politely as "often obsolete"; additionally, Londoners really do not want the Games in the city.
Coe argues that London's transport problems have been dealt with.
Tell that to the hapless commuters who have to suffer the delays, and overcrowding every day!
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Cherie Puts Her Foot In It
British Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, Cherie Blair, put her foot in it; when trying to make a joke in Australia during her book promotion tour.
The IOC delegation arriving in London, to judge London's worthiness to host the 2012 Olympic Games, will be asking what she meant when she told her audience:
"We are going to win the bid, what does Paris know about culture?"
Mrs Blair also managed to annoy New Zealand diners by mistaking the country for Australia.
The rules about "entertaining" IOC delegates are now very strict, since the money-for-cash scandal provoked by 2002 Winter Games hosts Salt Lake City. The hosts can only provide one "social" event during its visit.
In London the "event" will be dinner with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. There was therefore further confusion, when it was reported that Downing Street would be putting on a "reception". The IOC contacted London for clarification.
In IOC terminology "reception" means food will be served, and following discussions between Lausanne and London the Downing Street event has been billed as a "working meeting".
No food will be provided when the IOC members meet Tony and Cherie Blair, culture secretary Tessa Jowell and London mayor Ken Livingstone.
How very dull!
The IOC delegation arriving in London, to judge London's worthiness to host the 2012 Olympic Games, will be asking what she meant when she told her audience:
"We are going to win the bid, what does Paris know about culture?"
Mrs Blair also managed to annoy New Zealand diners by mistaking the country for Australia.
The rules about "entertaining" IOC delegates are now very strict, since the money-for-cash scandal provoked by 2002 Winter Games hosts Salt Lake City. The hosts can only provide one "social" event during its visit.
In London the "event" will be dinner with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. There was therefore further confusion, when it was reported that Downing Street would be putting on a "reception". The IOC contacted London for clarification.
In IOC terminology "reception" means food will be served, and following discussions between Lausanne and London the Downing Street event has been billed as a "working meeting".
No food will be provided when the IOC members meet Tony and Cherie Blair, culture secretary Tessa Jowell and London mayor Ken Livingstone.
How very dull!
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