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The Hong Kong, China, Delegation to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai returned home this afternoon (October 12) with a record 154 medals in 10 sports.
Deeply impressed by the excellent performance of the Hong Kong delegation in the Special Olympics, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, said, "I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the athletes. This is the best recognition of their unfailing efforts."
"We are all proud of their remarkable achievements," he said.
At a welcome home ceremony at the Hong Kong International Airport this afternoon, the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Carrie Yau, also applauded the athletes for their outstanding performances in the Special Olympics, noting that every athlete was an elite of Hong Kong.
Also greeting the delegation were the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Mr Vincent Liu, and the Honorary Secretary General of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Pang Chung.
The Special Olympics World Summer Games, held every four years, is one of the major international sports events for athletes with intellectual disabilities. It is the first time that the Games were held in Asia and also in a Chinese city since the Games were first held in 1968.
A total of 106 Hong Kong athletes took part in this year's Games, competing in 10 events and winning 67 gold, 50 silver and 37 bronze medals. The Hong Kong delegation won 50 medals - 31 gold, 13 silver and 6 bronze - in the previous Games in 2003.
Ends/Friday, October 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:08
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