Greek ambassador to China Michael Cambanis (L-2) and Greek President Karolos Papoulias (L-3) attend the opening ceremony of the Greek sport art exhibition in Beijing on June 24, 2008. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

As an activity included in the "Cultural Year of Greece" in China, an exhibition called "The Mind and the Body" brought by Greek sport artist Mina Papatheodorou Valyraki opened in Beijing on Tuesday.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Greek President Karolos Papoulias, and the opening ceremony was also attended by Greek ambassador to China Michael Cambanis.

"This exhibition is under the cultural year of Greece in China. We started the cultural year in 2007, and we're going to finish it after the Olympic Games, Greek ambassador to China Michael Cambanis told CRI reporter. "We're very honored and lucky to give Chinese people events describing and demonstrating not only the ancient culture but also modern Greek art."

The 50 some oil paintings are portrayals of the exciting moments on various sporting fields such as car-racing, running and sailing.

The art show is also part of the promotion for the upcoming Olympics, as it opened 45 days ahead of the great sporting event in Beijing.

The artist, Mina Papatheodorou Valyraki, born in Athens, Greece, is a worldwide leading figure in sport art. She's known for expressing the Olympic spirit through paintings.

"I believe that the Olympic spirit is to break the limits, to break the borders, the fair play, and the fair competition. What very much impressed me is the motion and the mind of the athlete. They want to get free and break the borders," she said.

The exhibition will be held from June 24 to July 14.