Arrangements for Paralympic Equestrian Events ticket sales (with video)

Arrangements for Paralympic Equestrian Events ticket sales (with video)
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The following is issued on behalf of the Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Company ( The Equestrian Company):

     The Equestrian Company and China’s Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited (CTS) today (August 27) announced ticket sale arrangements for the Equestrian Events of the Beijing 2008 13th Paralympic Games.

     As the official ticket agent of Equestrian Events of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, CTS will start selling the Paralympic Equestrian Event tickets from Friday (August 29).

     Speaking at a press briefing, the Chief Executive Officer of the Equestrian Company, Mr Lam Woon-kwong, said, “We thank Hong Kong people for their enthusiastic support for the Olympic Equestrian Events.”

     “The Paralympic Equestrian Events will be held from September 7-11 at the Sha Tin venue, with nine events.  We are delighted to see that Peng Yulian of China’s team and Nelson Yip of the Hong Kong team have both achieved the minimum eligibility standard and successfully qualified for the Paralympic Equestrian Events. We hope that people will continue to show their support for the China and Hong Kong teams at the competition venue.”

     The Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) has allocated about 20,000 tickets for public sale in Hong Kong via CTS. Each of the nine Paralympic Equestrian Events will have about 6,000 tickets.  BOCOG says there are 2,600 Games-time tickets available for public sale while 2,400 non-saleable “education tickets” for each event will be distributed via the school and cultural organisation networks for educational purposes and about 1,000 tickets will be allocated to Paralympic Committees all around the world by BOCOG.

     People can buy tickets at CTS headquarters in Sheung Wan, and at its Wan Chai, Mong Kok, and Sha Tin branches from 9am; or buy remaining tickets available for sale on CTS website from 11am. Those who have reserved tickets on CTS’ website can get their games-time tickets during the designated period at the CTS Mong Kok Service Centre. Each applicant may select a maximum of six tickets for the events with victory ceremonies (PEQ03, PEQ04, PEQ05, PEQ07, PEQ09) and a maximum of 15 tickets for other events (PEQ01, PEQ02, PEQ06, PEQ08) for every transaction.  Available tickets will be sold at HK$39 with free seating.

     Spokesman for CTS, Mr Ng Hei-on, said tickets for the open and closing ceremonies of the Paralympic Games had been available for sale since April 10 and Games-time tickets for other sports of the Games would also be open for public sale from August 29. People could buy the tickets in person at the  CTS  Mong Kok branch or on its website (www.ctshk.com) on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for public sale available from August 29 are all Games-time tickets (i.e. actual entry tickets) and there is no need for ticket-coupon redemption. For details and update of ticketing arrangements for the Hong Kong district for the Beijing Paralympic Games, people can visit the CTS website or call its ticketing hotline: 2998-7080. The tickets have an efficient design full of Paralympic flavour, and can be kept as collectibles.

     Para-Equestrian Dressage (or Para-Dressage) is currently the only Equestrian discipline included within the 2008 Paralympic Games. Competing in the events will be 73 athletes. Athletes are classified into five grades (Grades Ia, Ib, II, III and IV). Grade Ia athletes have the most serious impairment while Grade IV athletes are the least impaired. Riders with similar levels of impairment can compete together. The competition within each grade is then judged on the skill of that rider on the horse regardless of the rider's impairment. Riders of each grade can compete in the Individual Championship Test, the Freestyle Test, and the Team Test. There will be 11 gold medals for the events.

     Free shuttle bus services will ferry spectators from University Station to the Sha Tin venue.

     A spokesman for the Equestrian Company urged spectators to arrive at the venue one to two hours before the start of competition to ensure adequate time for shuttle bus transfer, and security screening at entrance gates.

     Live commentary of the events at Sha Tin will be available in both Cantonese and English on specially-designated (FM) channels. Spectators can take a small, pocket-size FM radio (without a loud speaker) and earpiece to listen to the commentaries.

     The Paralympic Movement actualises its motto, "Spirit in Motion", where the athletes' sporting ability, not their disability, is emphasised. Through sport, every person has the ability to develop their potential and achieve self-determination and success. Spectators at these Equestrian Events will be able to experience the Paralympic spirit of “Transcendence, Integration and Equality” to build a world of harmony.

     For more information about the events, please call the 24- hour Spectator Hotline 2107 9955; or visit the Equestrian Company website at www.equestrian2008.org.

     The event calendar is attached.

Ends/Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:25

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