*****************************************
The Hong Kong Special Olympics has identified an Irish trained doctor who is prepared to monitor the health conditions of the athletes during a proposed quarantine period before departing for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland, Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, said today (May 31).
"In addition, Professor Sydney Chung, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University, has also agreed to render assistance," he said.
Dr Ho said the Irish authorities have yet to change their earlier decision of requesting the Hong Kong delegation not to attend the Games in Dublin.
"We are still in earnest dialogue with Ireland in the hope that our athletes will be able to participate in the Games next month," he said.
The Hong Kong Special Olympics has suggested a series of precautionary measures, including a 10-day quarantine before departure and the withdrawal from side programmes.
Dr Ho said, "The identification of a doctor to monitor the quarantine and the assistance offered by Professor Chung have demonstrated the extra efforts that Hong Kong will take to guarantee the health of our athletes."
End/Saturday, May 31, 2003
NNNN
