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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, has today (September 14) paid tribute to the members of Hong Kong's 'historic' Olympic squad.

Speaking at a reception to welcome the Hong Kong team to Sydney, Mrs Chan said: "We are all very proud of our team. It is the strongest we have ever sent to an Olympics. It includes six Asian Games medallists.

"It is also one of our largest Olympic contingents - 31 athletes competing in nine sports, backed up by a strong and dedicated group of coaching staff and Olympic Committee officials.

"You should also feel proud that you are making history. As you know, these Games are especially significant because we are participating in our first Olympics as 'Hong Kong, China'.

"This is a prime example of how 'One Country, Two Systems' is working for us in Hong Kong. But I suppose, on this occasion, you could say this is more a case of 'One Country, Two Teams'.

Mrs Chan said that Hong Kong athletes, through hard work, determination and self-sacrifice, had reached the pinnacle of sporting excellence.

She said everyone in Hong Kong would follow their progress with enormous interest.

"I know that you will be swept up in the super-charged atmosphere of the Olympic Games, in your quest to be 'swifter, higher, stronger' over the next two weeks of competition," she told athletes at the reception.

"The Olympic Creed says 'The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well.'

"So to all of our athletes here tonight, I simply say that whatever the outcome, you are all the pride of Hong Kong. You are our very own Olympians - and that in itself is an achievement of a lifetime.

"Win, lose or draw all of Hong Kong will be cheering their hearts out for you - and I will be the cheerleader-in-chief!"

"Our participation in these Games, and the enormous goodwill they generate, makes us even more determined to host the Asian Games in Hong Kong," she said.

"As many of you know, we are bidding to host the 2006 Games. We will learn in November whether that bid has been successful.

"If we are fortunate enough to be chosen to host the Games, you can be sure that we will stage the best Asian Games ever - that's a promise."

Mrs Chan said 2000 was also a landmark year for Timothy Fok, the President of our Sports Federation and Olympic Committee, who is leading the 'Hong Kong, China' team for the first time at an Olympic Games.

"I know that he and our Chef de Mission Karl Kwok are very excited and proud to be here," she said.

"And I would just like to thank them and their team for all of their hard work and dedication in furthering sport and the Olympic ideals in Hong Kong."

Hong Kong first sent teams to compete internationally in 1934, making a debut at the British Empire Games in London. Hong Kong competed regularly in what became known as the Commonwealth Games, and made a final appearance at the 1994 Games in Victoria, Canada.

The Hong Kong Sports Federation and Olympic Committee was founded in 1949 and recognised as the national Olympic committee in 1951.

"Since then, Hong Kong has competed in every Olympics and every Asian Games - starting with the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and the 1954 Asian Games in Manila," said Mrs Chan.

"Indeed, 1954 proved to be somewhat a year of firsts - our first Asian Games resulted in our first medal in international competition, a bronze for Stephen Xavier in the Men's 200m sprint.

"Stephen now lives in Sydney and is here tonight to help us celebrate the arrival of the first 'Hong Kong, China' team to compete in the first Olympics of the new century."

Hong Kong's inaugural Olympics success came at the 1996 Atlanta Games when Lee Lai-shan won gold in the women's windsurfing event. 'San San' is defending her title this year

"'San San' is our very own 'golden girl'," said Mrs Chan. "And if I know 'San San' she'll be giving 150 per cent effort in this year's event."

Mrs Chan will attend a lunch hosted by Australia's Federal Minister for Trade, Mr Mark Vaile, and attend the Olympic Opening Ceremony tomorrow (September 15).

End/Thursday, September 14, 2000

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