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A spokesman for the Home Affairs Bureau issued the following statement today (April 8) in response to press enquiries on the criteria and procedures in selecting 120 Olympic torchbearers:
"To select torchbearers with recognised representation, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), has set up the Torchbearer Selection Sub-committee. Members of the committee come from various sectors of the society, including the sports, education, arts and communications sectors, as well as the Equestrian Company and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The committee has formulated a set of selection criteria in line with the requirement of the Beijing Organisation Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and the situation in Hong Kong for the selection of 84 torchbearers.
The torchbearers selected by the SF&OC are from the 18 districts, those who have made contributions to Hong Kong's sports arena as well as athletes, and representatives from the education, cultural and other social sectors.
Members of the public also have the opportunity to participate in the selection of 24 torchbearers by joining the torchbearer selection activities organised by Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Torch Relay worldwide partners (Coca-Cola, Samsung and Lenovo). The remaining 12 torchbearers are nominated by the BOCOG. The list of torchbearers will be announced after final approval by the BOCOG."
Ends/Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:30
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