According to Ms. Li, sports journalists and physically fit women from Atlanta and other former Olympic cities will show their “Olympic spirit” as they traverse Tibet’s vast wilderness. photo courtesy of Ms. Li

The Chinese government is inviting Atlanta women between the ages of 18 and 35 to compete against teams of women from other past Olympic cities in the Pre-Olympic Beauty Challenge in Tibet, an outdoor adventure competition that will be covered by Chinese and foreign press to promote China’s image. 

Although the event’s title makes it sound more like a pageant, the competition will include such rigorous physical activities as archery, camping, cross-country cycling, mountaineering and rafting in the mountainous region of Linzhi, known as the “Emerald of Tibet.”

“China is breaking ground on many fronts to help build a new image.  This highly visible media event will take place in one of the most beautiful areas of western China,” Jane Li, president of Duluth-based ACL International Inc., told GlobalAtlanta.

Ms. Li said the competition would highlight the mental strength and physical prowess of women, China’s development, the Olympic spirit and cross-cultural communication.

Ms. Li, who also is the Ningbo, China, Foreign Investment Development Board representative in Georgia, said the event is tentatively scheduled for next May, well before the August opening ceremonies of the Beijing Summer Olympic Games. 

Competitors must either be presently enrolled in a university or hold an accredited degree.  They also must have a “graceful appearance and strong moral character” to become “goodwill ambassadors” for Georgia, according to Ms. Li.

The Atlanta team will compete against teams from other Olympic areas including Athens, Greece; London and Sydney, Australia.

The 36 competitors will be divided into six teams and will devote four of their 15 days in China to the competition. 

The remainder of the stay will be spent traveling, resting, training, touring parts of Tibet’s wilderness and visiting with local ethnic groups.

Ms. Li is working for the main organizer of the event, the China International Sports Travel Company and The News Committee of China Olympic Committee, to select the competitors. She will pre-screen competitors before recommending them.

Stan Cottrell, the president of the Friendship Sports Association who completed the 2,000-mile Great USA-China Friendship Run in 1984, offered his support for Ms. Li and the Tibet program. 

[GlobalAtlanta Story on Mr. Cottrell: Georgia Athlete to Repeat 60-Day Run from Great Wall of China]

“Ms. Li, this proposed event, and so many initiatives she is working on for the benefit of our region are truly labors of love,” he said.  “She is the model of what Sino-American relations are all about.”

Mr. Cottrell, who plans to repeat his run in October, called the event a “marvelous initiative” and said that he would be help promote it.

The Chinese organizers are also looking for international business partners for the event.  Ms. Li said the event would attract significant media coverage, making it a great opportunity for Atlanta-based businesses to promote their interests in China.

A specific promotional package can be designed to meet the needs of banner sponsor partners, she said.