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The enthusiasm for the Olympic Games was rekindled in Hong Kong this morning (August 25) when Mainland athletes who won gold medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games staged demonstrations in badminton, table tennis and diving to display the superb skills that won them honour at the Olympic Games.
The audiences applauded the athletes for the displays of their first-rate athletic skills, which have deeply impressed Hong Kong people.
The delegation of the Mainland Olympic gold medallists was arranged into three groups to meet the people at close range this morning. Two groups of athletes gave demonstrations at venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, including the badminton and table tennis demonstrations at Queen Elizabeth Stadium and the diving demonstrations at Kowloon Park Swimming Pool. Another group of athletes joined an exchange session with youth uniformed groups and demonstrated their skills in gymnastics at Siu Sai Wan Sports Centre.
As part of the demonstrations for badminton and table tennis, gold medallists had friendly matches with Hong Kong athletes. Some of the spectators were selected by drawing lots and granted a rare chance to participate in the sports-for-fun sessions. At the diving demonstration, the gold medallists had a friendly chat with some local youngsters. All sports demonstrations featured lucky draws to pick out lucky spectators to be awarded badminton and table tennis rackets autographed by members of the national badminton and table tennis teams, as well as T-shirts autographed by the national diving team.
The impressive demonstrations at Queen Elizabeth Stadium and Kowloon Park Swimming Pool this morning attracted more than 4 300 members of the public and guests to watch as spectators. Those who were unable to secure tickets also enjoyed the shows broadcast live on TV.
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, visited the demonstrations held at Queen Elizabeth Stadium and Kowloon Park Swimming Pool respectively and greeted members of the delegation.
Meanwhile, the third group of athletes attended the "Visit of the London Olympic Mainland Gold Medallists Delegation - Exchange with Youth of Hong Kong" at the Siu Sai Wan Sports Centre. They met with some 900 members of the local youth and uniformed groups and took part in interactive games with the youths.
The exchange with the gold medallists was arranged to enable Hong Kong youngsters to learn about the virtue of perseverance and the never-give-up spirit characteristic of sport. The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Raymond Young, also attended the event.
The gold medallists, presented with bouquets one by one by the youth representatives at the beginning of the event, shared with the young participants during the exchange the joy and tears that punctuated their harsh training and answered questions from the floor. The gold medallists also played interactive games with the young participants to raise their interest in various sports.
The gold-medal-winning gymnasts attending the exchange at Siu Sai Wan Sports Centre were on their own turf when they gave a demonstration in the sport. They inspired participants with their charisma and encouraged them to take part in sport.
Ends/Saturday, August 25, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:04
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