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The following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the Welcome Home Ceremony for Hong Kong, China Delegations to Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games cum Ceremony to Send Off Hong Kong's Asian Games Bid Delegation to Pusan, Korea today (November 7):

Ladies and gentlemen, our athletes, friends from the press,

With the return of the Hong Kong, China Delegations to Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I would like to take this opportunity to pay my warmest tribute to all members of the two Delegations for their marvellous performance.

The Olympic Games is one of the most important sporting events in the world. It is indeed prestigious to take part in this top level competition. We are particularly delighted to see the can-do spirit of Hong Kong displayed by our athletes in their quest of new heights and the great efforts they made in setting new Hong Kong records in a number of events in the Games. The achievements made by members of the Paralympic Games Delegation were especially impressive. They demonstrated excellence in wheelchair fencing events, track and field events, as well as ping pong event, breaking the records we made in the last Paralympic Games in both the number of gold medals and the total number of medals won.

I believe that such accomplishments represent not only the fruits of the athletes' hard work, but also the concerted efforts made by all coaches, staff, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Handicapped, the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped, various national sports associations, as well as the Hong Kong Sports Development Board. The wide support of the community is of course a tremendous encouragement to our athletes.

We are now making every effort to bring the 2006 Asian Games to Hong Kong. Tomorrow, our Asian Games Bid Delegation will depart for Pusan, Korea to pursue further our bid with the Olympic Council of Asia and its members. Given our facilities, infrastructures, human resources, organising experience and financial strength, we are confident that Hong Kong will be capable of hosting the "best Asian Games ever". We all wish the Asian Games Bid Delegation every success in the bid for the 2006 Asian Games.

Participation is the essence of sporting competitions. Hong Kong's bid to host the Asian Games has greatly encouraged our athletes to work with untiring efforts to upgrade their skills and enhance the status of Hong Kong in the international sports arena. It does not only greatly inspire our athletes and other members of the local sporting community to move forward, but also unites all sectors of our community to work with concerted efforts to achieve our common goal and to demonstrate to the global community our entrepreneurial spirit and vitality.

I would like to express once again my heartfelt congratulations to the Hong Kong, China Delegations to Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games for their excellent achievements. I would also like to wish our Asian Games Bid Delegation every success in Pusan, Korea. Thank you.

End/Tuesday, November 7, 2000

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Photo:The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, and the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Michael Suen, attended the Welcome Home Ceremony for Hong Kong, China Delegations to Sydney 2000 & Paralympic Games cum Ceremony to send off Hong Kong's Asian Games Bid Delegation to Pusan, Korea. The Asian Games Bid Delegation will attend the General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia in Pusan on November 12 when a decision on the hosting city for the 2006 Asian Games will be made. Picture shows Mr Tung presenting the Flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr W K Lam, and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Paul Leung, both of whom will be representing Hong Kong at the assembly.