Xinhua
Lisbon, May 9 (Xinhua) A total of 487,500 coins of 2.5 euros alluding to Portugal’s participation in the Beijing Olympics are circulating at Continente supermarket subsidiaries for the benefit of the national olympic mission. The coins, made of a copper and nickel alloy, were designed by sculptor Jose Teixeira and presented here Thursday during a ceremony attended by many athletes who will compete in the Olympic Games and two of the former marathon Olympic champions, Carlos Lopes and Rosa Mota.

These coins are the first with 2.5 euros value in all Europe and will be given as change to costumers of the Continente supermarkets throughout the country. Also, National printing house and Portugal’s coin house will sell 12,500 identical silver collector’s coins for 45 euros each ($69), with case, guarantee certificate and serial number. The Games will be held Aug 8-24.

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Olympics course for sports journalists in Nigeria

Lagos: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) in conjunction with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) is to organise a high-level training course for sports journalists in Lagos. Tony Nezianya, NOC’s Public Relations Officer, said that the course was to prepare the journalists for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games’ coverage.

He said the three-day course would be held June 14-17 at the Elomax Hotel, Maryland, Lagos. Nezianya said participants were drawn from the print and electronic media in the country and that it was the first time the Olympic Solidarity Fund would sponsor such a course. According to him, the Nigerian delegation will send more than 100 members for the Games.

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Egypt too supports Beijing Olympics

Cairo: Egyptian Olympic Committee (EOC) president Mounir Sabet has expressed his support for the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, saying that he is opposed to any boycott of the Games or attempts to mix sports with politics.

“Olympics is for the athletes and the aim of the Olympic Games is to achieve the values of the Olympic movement by making friends and respecting each other,” he said. Sabet said some countries are trying to use the Olympics as a weapon to achieve their political objectives, which goes against the spirit of the Olympic movement. According to him, 85 Egyptian athletes in 17 events have so far qualified for the Games and more are expected to do the same.
Xinhua