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The Hong Kong Jockey Club International BMX Park in Gin Drinkers Bay, Kwai Chung, was officially open today (October 31), marking another major milestone in the preparation for the 2009 East Asian Games (EAG).
Officiating at the opening ceremony of the BMX Park, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, said the opening of the BMX Park provided local cycling athletes with a training and competition venue which meets international standard. This will not only enable our athletes to better prepare themselves for the EAG and strengthen their training, but also spur the longer term development of local cycling sport.
He added that the two-day BMX events to be held in this new venue could test the strength of the cycling team as well as the facilities of the venue and the related arrangements.
He wished that the Hong Kong athletes competing in the EAG could achieve remarkable results. He also hoped that members of the public would actively participate in the Games and cheer for the Hong Kong athletes.
The 4th Asian BMX Championships was held right after the official opening of the BMX Park today. It was the first race held at BMX Park and the first international BMX competition hosted by Hong Kong. It had provided an opportunity to test the efficacy of the venue, the overall operation and crowd control for the EAG BMX competition on December 5.
Built with the donation of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the BMX Park is equipped with a 350m international standard race track and has a seating capacity of 780. The race track was designed by Tom Ritzenthaler, an expert appointed by the Union Cycliste Internationale. Other ancillary facilities include canteen, lavatory and shower room for athletes, medical station, doping control room and media room which are complied with the standards for holding international events. There is also a racing track for beginners inside the Park that will help in the training and promoting of BMX sports.
Ends/Saturday, October 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:09
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