Olympic medalists to pay visit to the city
Updated: 2012-08-14 06:42
By Fan Feifei(HK Edition)
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Gold medalists from China's Olympic team at the London Olympics will visit Hong Kong for three days from August 24 to 26. The athletes will show off their athletic skills for the people of Hong Kong.
Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Raymond Young announced: "The national team of athletes has shown superb skills and unswerving commitment to bringing honor to our country at the Olympics, a sports arena of the highest standard. We are all excited to see their outstanding achievements."
These gold medalists will meet the public in three groups on the morning of August 25. Two groups will give badminton and table tennis demonstrations at Queen Elizabeth Stadium and a diving demonstration at Kowloon Park Swimming Pool.
Another group will take part in an exchange session with uniformed youth groups at Siu Sai Wan Sports Centre.
The Olympic Gold Medallists' Extravaganza, the climax of the visit, will be held on Saturday evening at Hong Kong Stadium. The authory said it is negotiating broadcast rights with local television for the events.
"Almost all the Chinese gold medalists will come to Hong Kong for the events. The full list of participating athletes will be announced later," said Young.
He added the schedule is generally the same as four years ago when the gold medallists delegation visited Hong Kong after the Beijing Olympic Games. The delegation will leave Hong Kong on the afternoon of August 26.
The vice-president of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Victor Hui, said the demonstrations will enable the public to see the athletes up close, and, in turn, promote sports for all and encourage the public to take part in sporting events.
About 3,400 tickets for the two sports demonstrations will be available from City Hall, the Cultural Centre, Sha Tin Town Hall and Tuen Mun Town Hall from August 15. For the extravaganza show, 26,500 tickets will be available at URBTIX from August 16.
More than 4,000 tickets will be reserved for distribution by the Social Welfare Department for the underprivileged.
The Chinese Olympic delegation earned 38 gold medals, 27 silver medals and 23 bronze medals in the Olympic Games, a total of 88 medals, second only to the United States.
"I watched the badminton's final battle. It was a great game. But it was hard to stay up late to watch the Olympics on weekdays," said Miss Wong, an administrator. A 17-year-old, Connie, said she was a fan of Lin Dan, a badminton gold medalist, who is also a two-time Olympic champion.
Law, an interior designer said the event will be good for Hong Kong because it may encourage and inspire their enthusiasm for fitness.
Feng Chun contributed to the story.
(HK Edition 08/14/2012 page1)