IOC president Jacques Rogge opened a $10 million multi-sports center in this impoverished southern African country Tuesday as part of a drive to spread the Olympic spirit to the developing world.
``We are convinced that our first priority is taking care of the youth and it is for this reason that we have built this center together with all of you,'' Rogge said at the opening ceremony in Lusaka, Zambia's capital.
More than 2,000 athletes tried out the center's outdoor and indoor tracks, fields and other facilities as well as classrooms, a library, and Internet lab.
Pauline Konni, a 19-year-old black belt in taekwondo, thanked the International Olympic Committee for giving Africa the facility, and said she hoped similar centers would be built elsewhere in the country.
The facility, the first Olympic Youth Development Center, is part of the IOC's ``Sports for Hope Program'' designed to provide better sports facilities in developing countries.
Zambian President Rupiah Banda blamed poor facilities for lack of sporting success in this country of 12 million. Zambia has participated in 11 Olympics and won only two medals - a bronze in boxing in 1984 and a silver in the 400-meter hurdles in 1996.
``This center will obviously help Zambia increase her chances at All-Africa, Commonwealth and Olympic Games,'' Banda said at Tuesday's ceremony.
The Zambian government donated 34 acres for the center to the National Olympic Committee of Zambia. Zambian track and field, basketball, boxing, weightlifting, handball and hockey authorities gave money and technical expertise.
The IOC oversaw construction and will support Zambian Olympic officials who will run and maintain the center.
