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A delegation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), led by its Co-ordination Commission Chairman Mr Hein Verbruggen, left Hong Kong today (August 15) after a two-day visit.
"We are impressed by the overall progress on planning and building the facilities for the 2008 Beijing Games Equestrian Events," Mr Verbruggen said.
He commended the parties involved on their co-ordinated efforts for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events to be held in two different venues in Hong Kong - Sha Tin and North District.
During his brief stay in Hong Kong, Mr Verbruggen made a courtesy call on the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, and the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Rafael Hui. He reassured them that the IOC Co-ordination Commission would continue to provide support and guidance to Beijing and all other co-host cities to make the Games a success, leaving a legacy to China.
The IOC delegation held a series of meetings with various stakeholders of the Events, including the Equestrian Committee, the Hong Kong Jockey Club as well as the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. Delegation members received detailed briefings on venue construction and different functional areas such as security control, accommodation, quarantine and transportation arrangements.
On veterinary and quarantine services, a member of the delegation, Ms Catrin Norinder, who represents the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), spoke highly of the professional arrangements carried out by government agencies.
"The sport of equestrian is a game involving the athletes as well as horses and keeping a healthy and safe competition environment for both of them is vital. I have full confidence in the plans made in Hong Kong in this aspect," she said.
The commission meets regularly in Beijing with the Beijing Organising Committee for the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and visits the co-host cities from time to time. It paid its first official visit to the territory in August, 2005, one month after the announcement was made to move the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games to Hong Kong.
Accompanying the commission chairman to Hong Kong were the Olympic Games Executive Director, Mr Gilbert Felli, the BOCOG Vice-President, Mr Yang Shu'an and a team of IOC technicians.
Ends/Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:06
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