MYANMAR: OLYMPICS - British embassy and Myanmar sports officials celebrate the 'Road to London'
Record ID:
330831
MYANMAR: OLYMPICS - British embassy and Myanmar sports officials celebrate the 'Road to London'
- Title: MYANMAR: OLYMPICS - British embassy and Myanmar sports officials celebrate the 'Road to London'
- Date: 12th July 2012
- Summary: YANGON, MYANMAR (JULY11, 2012) (REUTERS) ***CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** EXTERIOR OF THUWUNNA INDOOR STADIUM BRITISH AND MYNMAR NATIONAL FLAGS IN PARADE AUDIENCE WATCHING PERFORMANCE CHILDREN WALKING IN PARADE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO MYANMAR, ANDREW HEYN SITTING (MIDDLE IN SUIT) U THAUNG HTAIK, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SPORTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR (LEFT IN UNIFORM) CHILDREN IN PARADE U THAUNG HTAIK ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) U THAUNG HTAIK, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SPORTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAYING: "We will be trying to develop a better understanding and strengthen the existing relationship between the people of Myanmar and Great Britain." MYANMAR NATIONAL FLAG NEXT TO LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES BANNER AMBASSADOR HEYN ON STAGE BANNER 'ROAD TO LONDON' (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANDREW HEYN SAYING: "Thank you all very much indeed for coming this morning and sharing this event. I'm declaring the 'Road to London' officially open" PARALYMPIC ATHLETES SITTING T-SHIRT OF 'ROAD TO LONDON' CHILDREN SITTING CHILDREN RUNNING MAN WATCHING PERFORMANCE VARIOUS OF BURMESE ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS
- Embargoed: 27th July 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Myanmar
- Country: Myanmar
- Topics: International Relations,Politics,Sports
- Reuters ID: LVADI95TA0GEPOTINYU2MHA2FCTQ
- Story Text: The British embassy in Myanmar holds a celebration to mark the "Road to London" on Wednesday (July11), 16 days ahead of the start of the Olympic Games.
The event began with several performances from Burmese high school students to mark the opening of the Olympic and Paralympics Games.
U Thaung Htaik, Director General of Sports and Physical Education Department of Myanmar said the event will enhance relations between the two countries.
"We will be trying to develop a better understanding and strengthen the existing relationship between the people of Myanmar and Great Britain," he said.
Myanmar first participated in the Olympic Games in 1948 but as of 2008 the country has never won a medal.
Speaking at the Thuwunna Indoor stadium in Yangon, Myanmar biggest city, the British Ambassador Andrew Heyn declared the 'Road to London' open.
"Thank you all very much indeed for coming this morning and sharing this event. I'm declaring the 'Road to London' officially open," he said.
This year the reformed state will send 25 athletes to the Games where they will compete in events including judo, shooting, archery and rowing.
More than 10,000 athletes from over 200 countries will compete in the Games which will start July 27. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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