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| Chinese athlete Liu Xiang (L),
divers Guo Jingjing (C) and Tian Liang wave to fans with upon their
arrival at the Hong Kong airport September 6,
2004. (Reuters) |
Some 50 mainland Olympic gold medallists arrived in Hong Kong on Monday
to applause from cheering
crowds, beginning a three-day visit to provide adoring fans a chance to
see the athletes up close.
Leading a 68-strong delegation, State General Administration of Sports
Minister Yuan Weimin said the group came to Hong Kong to share with the
Hong Kong people the "pride and honour" the country's top athletes had
achieved at the Athens Games.
The visit was also an expression of thanks to local citizens for their
long-standing support to China's sports sector, Yuan said.
The medallists touched down at the airport shortly before noon. They
were greeted there by Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, Director of the
Liaison Office of the Central People's Government Gao Siren, Commissioner
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Yang Wenchang and other
officials.
Hong Kong fans had all made a special effort to wait patiently at the
airport.
The welcoming ceremony was followed by a reception attended by about
500 people at the Government House and a banquet hosted by the Hong Kong
Olympic Committee Monday night.
At a news conference attended by Yuan, other officials and athletes in
the afternoon, Yuan noted Hong Kong's desire to become a venue for some
Olympic events in 2008.
He said it was a good idea and understandable.
"But it cannot be decided by the Beijing Olympic Committee alone," he
said.
He said they would have to co-ordinate the suggestion with
international sports bodies to receive permission, and called the matter a
complicated process.
The athletes will attend a series of public events on Tuesday and
Wednesday.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-09-07 14:50