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The following is issued on behalf of The Equestrian Company:
The Equestrian Committee (Hong Kong) of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad has today (March 27) welcomed the 2008 Beijing Olympics by inaugurating the Countdown Clock at Kowloon Park. The 500-day Countdown ceremony was supported by Hong Kong’s elite athletes as well as the 18 District Councils and youths.
The ceremony commenced with the local elite athletes marching in, leading a group of youngsters of different nationalities, signifying the spirit of “One World”. And to showcase the Olympic spirit and the dedicated support from the community, 500 teenagers, directed by the Chairmen of the District Councils, formed a mega puzzle illustrating the logos of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the Equestrian Events with the individual pieces in their hands. Then the officiating guests inaugurated the Countdown Clock and brought the ceremony to its climax.
The electronic Countdown Clock erected measures 9 m in height, 3.6 m in width, 1.2 m in thickness. It is devised and maintained by Omega, the Official Timekeeper at 22 summer and winter Olympic Games since the Los Angeles Olympics in 1932.
Officiating at the ceremony, Dr Patrick Ho, Secretary for Home Affairs, said, "We will work together with the city of Beijing and other co-host cities to make the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games a resounding success and to showcase to the world an Olympic Games of high standard, and with special characteristics."
Mr Timothy Fok, President, The Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, felt proud of Hong Kong playing a significant role in the history of the Olympics.
He said, "Hong Kong athletes have been making record-breaking achievements in the recent series of international and major sports events and I believe that the co-hosting of the Equestrian Events in Hong Kong will be a great impetus to all the athletes with a strong drive for achievement. I sincerely wish that all athletes can move one step higher on their ladder to success."
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Equestrian Events Hong Kong Fund was set up to promote Olympism and support the cultural, educational and community involvement activities relating to the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events. The Chairman of the Fund’s Board of Governors, Ms Elsie Leung, was among the officiating guests.
The other officiating guests were Mr Michael TH Lee, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Dr Simon Ip, President of Hong Kong Equestrian Federation; Mr Kevin Rollenhagen, President of Omega China and Hong Kong; Mrs Jenny Fung, Chairman of Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, and Mr Lam Woon-kwong, Chief Executive Officer of The Equestrian Company.
Ends/Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:16
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