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Following is the speech (English translation) by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the 100-Day Countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games at Hong Kong Coliseum tonight (April 30):
Mr Fok, Mr Yang, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
In exactly 100 days, the wait will be over. At 8 pm, on 8 August 2008, the Games of the 29th Olympiad will open in Beijing.
The lighting of the Olympic flame in Tiananmen Square a month ago marked the start of a global Torch Relay that covered 19 cities on five continents.
This afternoon, the flame has reached Hong Kong. We are immensely proud to be the first city in China to welcome the Olympic Torch back to our country after its journey around the world.
On Friday (May 2), 120 local torchbearers will take part in a relay across Hong Kong. I am sure all Hong Kong people will give the Torch and our Torch Bearers a rousing and joyful reception.
The hosting of the Olympic Games in Beijing fulfills a dream for many generations of Chinese people. As a co-host city for the Games, Hong Kong has a special role to play. It is an honour to stage the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian events of the Beijing Games. This is a golden opportunity to show the world that the Olympic spirit is very much alive in Hong Kong.
Preparations for the equestrian events are progressing nicely. Feedback from visiting athletes and officials has been positive, and the Good Luck Beijing Test event in August last year went well. I am confident we can achieve our goal of staging the best ever Olympic Equestrian events.
To get this job done, the strong participation of the community and the enthusiastic support of individuals is essential. I am delighted that so many people have participated in various activities to promote the Olympic Games. The response to the volunteer recruitment campaign for the Hong Kong events has also been most encouraging. I hope everyone will take this opportunity to learn more about the Olympic Spirit and share the joy of hosting the Games.
Apart from celebrating the 100-day countdown to the Beijing Olympics this evening, we are also raising money for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Equestrian Events Hong Kong Fund. The Fund was set up to support promotional activities of the Olympiad and the equestrian events. I thank the donors for their generous contributions.
As we enter the final stretch to the Beijing Games, the Hong Kong SAR Government, and all relevant organizations, will be doing everything possible to make our visitors welcome and ensure the best arrangements for the events in this city. This will bring pride and honour to our country and Hong Kong.
It just remains for me to wish our city, and our country the best ever Olympic Games.
Thank you.
Ends/Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:24
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