************************************************************
The following is the speech delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the Welcome Reception held in honour of the visiting President of International Olympic Committee (IOC), Count Jacques Rogge, and Madame Rogge at Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel this evening (August 18):
The Honourable Count and Madame Rogge, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. On behalf of the people of Hong Kong I would like to extend our warmest welcome - a gold-medal welcome, if I can call it that - to all of our esteemed guests. To Count Rogge, especially - welcome back to Hong Kong. We are delighted that you and your wife have been able to join us at this most exciting time.
Today, we are at Day 10 of the 29th Olympiad - the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Here in Hong Kong, we are through nine days of competition in the equestrian events, which have been a sell-out success. From the opening extravaganza in Beijing on August 8, to the thrills and excitement of competition in all the sporting disciplines, the 2008 Olympic Games have been a joyous and uplifting experience for all of us in Hong Kong.
As a co-host city, we are proud to join the ranks of Olympic cities and be part of this historic undertaking for our country. As a free, open and cosmopolitan society, Hong Kong embraces the Olympic ideals of friendship, peace and equality.
The Olympic Games is the pinnacle of sporting endeavour - the ultimate brand name in sporting competition; the ultimate goal for athletes around the world. That is why, since Hong Kong was entrusted with the equestrian events back in July 2005, many hundreds of people have worked tirelessly to ensure that we, too, meet these high standards by staging the best equestrian events ever.
We are deeply grateful to all those who have helped us to get to where we are today with the equestrian events. These include the IOC, FEI, (Fˆmdˆmration Equestre Internationale) and BOCOG (Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad); the Hong Kong Sports Federation and Olympic Committee; the Equestrian Committee; and of course the Hong Kong Jockey Club. They all did a magnificent job, especially the Hong Kong Jockey Club in providing the facilities. There are also the commercial sponsors and the Equestrian Company itself. Last but not least, we must thank all the people of Hong Kong who have shown their staunch support and enthusiasm for the events and the Olympic movement.
The Olympic atmosphere has been red hot since the Games began. Over the past 10 days, we have all witnessed, in some spectacular moments, the athletes' quest to be faster, stronger, higher. We have seen tears of triumph, and tears of disappointment. We have cheered our hearts out for our favourite teams, as much as we have cheered the determination of those athletes who didn't win a medal but touched us with their determination to give not just their best, but more than their best. There's nothing like the Olympics to lift the human spirit - and we are so proud to be a part of that.
Ladies and gentlemen, your help, support and encouragement will make these an Olympic Games that we will all remember for the rest of our lives. Thank you very much.
Ends/Monday, August 18, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:24
NNNN