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Hong Kong, with its long history of equine excellence, is ready to host the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events this summer.
Speaking at a reception of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event this evening (April 24, Lexington, Kentucky time), Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Miss Margaret Fong, said, "The 2008 Beijing Olympics is a joyous occasion for us all. It is the first time the games are held on Chinese soil. Hong Kong is proud to be one of the co-host cities, and we are set to present the events in the finest tradition."
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, held April 24-27 in Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, is the only four-star three-day event in the Americas. This is also a selection competition of the United States Equestrian Federation for the 2008 Olympic Eventing Team.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is expected to attract an attendance of 95,000. Highlights from the event will be aired on U.S. national television NBC Sports on May 4 to some 1.2 million households in the United States.
Miss Fong said, "Hong Kong has a long history of equine excellence that is nurtured and promoted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation and the Riding for the Disabled Association Limited."
The Commissioner added that the city, with its world-class quarantine and vaccination regimes, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club's extensive experience with the import of thoroughbred racehorses, was ready and able to provide the facilities and environment required for stabling the horses at the upcoming Equestrian Events.
Pointing out that Hong Kong has a proven track record of staging major international events, Miss Fong said, "The combination of our prime location at the heart of East Asia, our excellent connectivity, world-class hotels, eclectic mix of East and West, of old and new, the multitude of dining, leisure and retail opportunities make us the perfect host."
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY) is one of the corporate sponsors at this prestigious equestrian event to promote Hong Kong as a co-host city of the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.
The HKETONY's participation in the event was a focus of attention among the local media. The Commissioner gave an interview to one of the most popular local papers, The Lexington Herald-Leader, about the Equestrian Events in Hong Kong.
Visitors to the Hong Kong booth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event will be treated to a 13-minute film, "Hong Kong is Ready", and other videos which highlight Hong Kong's readiness and suitability as an Olympic co-host city. The Hong Kong booth, adorned with equestrian bunting and banners, will also feature an eight-panel exhibition, "Asia's world city welcomes the Olympics". A 30-second film clip showing Hong Kong's readiness as a co-host city is also shown at regular intervals on closed-circuit televisions at the Kentucky Horse Park during the event.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Eqestrian Events will be held August 9-21 and September 7-11 respectively.
Ends/Friday, April 25, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:46
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