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The following is issued on behalf of The Equestrian Company:
Volunteerism is at the very heart of the Olympic Movement, and Hong Kong has responded to it warmly.
Such warmth manifested itself in the applications from 12,000 persons who wanted to become Volunteers in the 2008 Olympics Equestrian Events and the trials this August, said the Chief Executive Officer of The Equestrian Company (EqCo), Mr Lam Woon-kwong, this afternoon (May 19).
The number of applications were increasing by the day, Mr Lam added.
Speaking at an Orientation Day for close to 900 Volunteers successfully selected from the second batch of applicants, Mr Lam said the staging of the Olympics Equestrian Events in Hong Kong was going to be a truly historic occasion.
"Hong Kong is working hand in hand with Beijing, under 'One Country, Two Systems', showcasing our culture, our spirit, or capabilities and the NationĄ¯s new face," Mr Lam said.
The Volunteers carried great responsibilities with them as they would be the front-line helpers, ambassadors, and the face of Hong Kong, he added.
They would show visitors and participants the warm face of this truly humane city and its can-do spirit, as well as Hong KongĄ¯s true colours,
The EqCo's Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Ms Miranda Chiu, said the Volunteers' level of involvement might be different, but she was sure their dedication would be the same.
She was confident that in going about their duties, the Volunteers would help to make the Olympics a "people's game", a "green game" and a "high-tech game".
The Company's Director of Corporate Administration, Mr Horace Yuen, said while Volunteers were not expected to be remunerated, the P-A-Y they would get out of being a volunteer was the "Prestige", "Altruism" and "Yes, I can".
Ends/Saturday, May 19, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:26
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