The Olympic medals which were made by Olympic sponsors BHP Billiton were handed over to Olympic organizers today at ceremony near Tiananmen Square.

There are 3000 medals in all, including those made for the Paralympics.

BHP Billiton is the world’s largest mining company and sees China to be one of it biggest markets for future growth.

“China is very important to us. It’s 20 percent of our global business,” said BHP Billiton China president Clinton Dines. “This is a big moment for China as a nation.”

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