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The Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), 2008 Beijing Olympic Equestrian Events Hong Kong Fund and the Home Affairs Bureau jointly held the ˇ°Celebration of the 100-day Countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Gamesˇ± at Hong Kong Coliseum this evening (April 30) to mark the 100 days to the opening of the Olympic Games.
Officiating at the countdown ceremony, the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang said as we entered the final stretch to the Beijing Games, the Hong Kong SAR Government and all relevant organisations would be doing everything possible to make our visitors welcome and ensure the best arrangements for the events in this city. This would bring pride and honour to our country and 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," he said.
Mr Tsang noted that to get this job done, the strong participation of the community and the enthusiastic support of individuals was essential. He was delighted that so many people had participated in various activities to promote the Olympic Games. The response to the volunteer recruitment campaign for the Hong Kong events had also been most encouraging. He hoped everyone would 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, the event was 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. Mr Tsang thanked the donors for their generous contributions.
The show featured the performances by celebrities, athletes, youths, charitable and cultural groups, singers and artistes. More than 5,000 guests and members of the public attended the event, including Executive Council members, legislators, district councillors, consular corps, representatives of sports and district organisations and donors to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Equestrian Events Hong Kong Fund.
The show was produced by Television Broadcasts Limited and broadcast on TVB Jade at 10.35pm this evening.
Other officiating guests at the event included President of the SF&OC, Mr Timothy Fok; Executive Vice-President of BOCOG, Mr Yang Shuan; Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang; Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Gang; Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Zhan Yongxin; Deputy Mayor of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Village, Ms Elsie Leung; Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr John Chan; Chairman of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, Mrs Jenny Fung; Deputy Chief Executive Officer of The Equestrian Company, Ms Miranda Chiu; and Chairman of Organising Committee on the Celebration of the 100-day Countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Mr Wilfred Ng.
Ends/Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:50
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