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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, together with guests and citizens, assembled at the Olympic Live Site set up on the Central Lawn of Victoria Park in Causeway Bay tonight (August 8) to watch the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games broadcast live on a giant TV screen and to bear witness to this historic moment in sports history.
The Olympic Live Sites, set up in Victoria Park and Sha Tin Park, are run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games period between August 8 and 24 to broadcast competition events live on giant TV screens. Free cultural programmes will also be provided at the Live Sites to encourage public participation in Olympic activities with a view to boosting the ambience of the Games and promoting the Olympic spirit.
Speaking at a ceremony in Victoria Park to launch the Olympic Live Sites in Hong Kong, Mr Tsang Tak-sing said that in the coming 16 days, the Live Sites in Victoria Park and Sha Tin Park would provide the whole community, including visitors to Hong Kong and those who do not have time to go to Beijing for the Games, with opportunities to watch the competition events, to share the joy and experience the spirit of the Olympic Games and to cheer for athletes.
The LCSD has also launched a cheering campaign with the slogan "Go Go China! Go Go Hong Kong!" for the public to cheer for the Beijing Olympic Games.
Members of the public can cheer for the Hong Kong athletes and choose their favourite Olympic sports either online at
www.lcsd.gov.hk/specials/ols/en/index.php or in person by going to the two Live Sites and filling in Cheering Cards to express their support.
In addition to the TV screens installed at the Olympic Live Sites for 12-hour broadcasting of the Olympic competitions, there will also be stage performances with different cultural characteristics and a diverse array of sports and cultural activities and games stalls to reflect Hong Kong's status as a cosmopolitan city where Western and Eastern cultures converge.
Mr Tsang said the successful launching of the Olympic Live Sites in Hong Kong owed much to enthusiastic and strong support from all government departments, local dignitaries and community organisations. He also expressed his best wishes to all the athletes participating in the Games.
The ceremony to launch the Olympic Live Sites in Hong Kong held in Victoria Park tonight featured performances by singers, and sports and cultural performances. Together with other guests, Mr Tsang also officiated at a countdown for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The guests at the opening ceremony included the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow; representatives from the 18 District Councils, the Sports Commission, the 2009 East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited, the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, and various National Sports Associations.
The Olympic Live Sites will be open to everyone from tomorrow (August 9) until August 24.
The Olympic Live Sites in Hong Kong include seven activity zones:
1) Giant TV screen and main stage performance area – live broadcast of Olympic activities and competitions, and cultural performances such as Filipino music, Japanese traditional sports demonstration, Korean and Indian cultural dances and Pop Cultural Creations "Aloha", a Hawaiian contemporary music show for families;
2) Entertainment and activity area – includes 3D motion games, Olympic books corner, games booths and inflatable trampoline;
3) Exhibition area – a wish-making corner for sending good wishes to the Games, Fuwa photo-taking corner, highlights of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in Hong Kong, exhibition on Equestrian Events and information about the Games;
4) Fitness corner – various activities, such as aerobics, dancing, shuttlecock, indoor rowing and rope skipping;
5) Exhibition and sale of licensed products of the Olympic Games;
6) Information corner – updated information about the Olympic Games and the list of gold medal winners; and
7) Food and drinks area.
Except for licensed products for sale and food and drinks, the activities will be free of charge.
For details, please refer to the website of LCSD at www.lcsd.gov.hk/.
Ends/Friday, August 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:43
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