BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonia Samaranch arrived in Beijing on Thursday to attend the Beijing Olympic Games.
前国际奥委会主席萨马兰奇已于周四抵达北京出席北京奥运会。

Samaranch, turning 88 on July 17, was received by red carpets and bunches of flowers at the Beijing International Airport and directly taken to the VIP room before leaving at 9:50.
北京国际机场用红毯和鲜花迎接7月17日就88岁了的萨马兰奇，他被直接带到了VIP房间，并于9：50分离开。

Now the honorary president of IOC, Samaranch announced Beijing was awarded the right to hold the 2008 Games in Moscow on July 13, 2001.
萨马兰奇现在是国际奥委会的荣誉主席，他在2001年7月13日的莫斯科宣布北京成为2008年奥运会的主办城市。

He said he would be present thorough out the Games and was confident Beijing would host a successful Games when he was interviewed by People's Daily in May.
在五月份《人民日报》的采访中，他说他一定会出席奥运会并对北京能够成功举办奥运会充满信心。