“China and I”

My story in China started six years ago when I came to Beijing on a business trip as a 25 year old. My role as business development manager for Asia took me to various countries but after many trips China remained my favorite.

To be closer to our customers in Asia I requested my company to send me to China. From 2004 - as the first foreigner in our Beijing branch office - I improved my insight into the Chinese market requirements and China’s rich culture. Since then I have been living here and communicating across borders to help others in Europe and America understand more about the real China, the country I love.

At the end of my assignment in 2006 I requested to be localized as I did not want to leave this inspiring country and miss the Olympic Games hosted in Beijing.

Not only the upcoming Olympics and China’s fascinating culture made me want to stay – it is the Chinese people that I love most. People that might not have much today are happy and driven to build up the harmonious society of tomorrow. They are sure that together we will all have a bright future. This positive atmosphere gives me a lot of energy and motivation.

I thank my Chinese friends and colleagues for giving me a glimpse of their way of thinking and for teaching me the language. I am looking forward to many years together making China the world’s leading economy and Beijing an even more cosmopolitan metropolis.

“Having the Olympic spirit in mind”

Fairness and honesty are major principles of my life as I have always been a competitive athlete. I started gymnastics and diving at a young age and watched many competitions on TV. It was my dream to take part in the Olympics, but only once was I able to qualify for a national competition in gymnastics.

In my teens I moved to indoor bicycling - doing gymnastics on top of a bicycle! I was soon selected for the German National team and competed for many years keeping the Olympic spirit in mind. I have been promoting this sport throughout the world and in China, notably by participating in the CCTV3 “International Wanna Challenge” show by making Chinese “jiaozi” standing on my bicycle.

The German cycling association is collaborating with the Chinese association to establish this sport here. We held a training camp in 2006 in Taiyuan where I was coaching the first Chinese athletes. It was very promising and I believe China has the potential to win the world championships in a few years.

In Beijing I am also a member of the rock climbing group promoting outdoor sports by sharing my knowledge acquired in Germany with the Chinese. I encourage talented children to improve their skills. Now one of our Beijing club members is competing on national level.

I share my excitement for the Olympics with many, especially my parents who had also been competitive athletes. They visited me in China multiple times and are excited to come for the Beijing Olympics. My parents are so happy that I received tickets for the gymnastics and diving competitions. They would be very proud to see their daughter carry the Olympic torch in her new home country and represent the successful and dynamic young generation of foreigners who support China in making the dream come true.

I am convinced that Beijing will host the most impressive Olympics ever! 加油

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