The official welcome ceremony of the National Olympic Team 2008 took place on one of the main stages of the country, the stage of “Ukraine” Palace, on 5 September 2008. The President of Ukraine Mr.

Viktor Yushchenko participated in the ceremony.
All the guests, spectators and television audience had the last chance to see the Ukrainian Olympic Team 2008 as new competitions leading to the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London will start shortly.
“We are grateful to every athlete, coach, doctor, physiotherapist, to everybody who contributed to the moments of triumph and glory when the Ukrainian anthem was played and the flag of the country was hoisted on Beijing sport arenas. Your efforts are highly appreciated both nationally and world-wide. The IOC President Mr. Jacques Rogge and the IOC Honorary President for Life Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch sent their sincere greetings to the Olympians for their high performance and contribution to the success of the Games”, – Mr. Sergey Bubka said.
The Minister of Ukraine for Family, Youth and Sport Mr. Yuriy Pavlenko expressed his confidence that successful fulfilment of preparation plan will create a stable basis for new champions and higher results at the Olympic Games in London.
In his turn Mr. Viktor Yushchenko accomplished his honorary mission and presented the Olympic Team Members with the state awards. (Order of the President of Ukraine No 804/2008 “On Awarding Athletes, Coaches and Specialists of the National Team of Ukraine at the Games of the XXIX Olympiad with the State Awards of Ukraine”).
The official part of the ceremony ended with the anthem of the Ukrainian Olympic Team performed by Vitaliy Kozlovskyy.
The concert started with the National Dance Group of Ukraine named after Virskyy. Ukrainian singers Natalia Valevska, Viktor Pavlyk, Oleksandr Voyevudskyy continued the show.
But of course, the main characters of the celebration were our Olympians, a little tired but happy to share unforgettable emotions with every Ukrainian.
Good bye, Beijing-2008! Welcome, London-2012!

NOC of Ukraine
www.noc-ukr.org