*****************************************

The Olympic Square at Hong Kong Park, a new landmark symbolising the Olympic spirit and a focal point for holding activities promoting the 2009 Hong Kong East Asian Games (EAG) and other major sports events, was unveiled today (July 11) by the visiting President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Count Jacques Rogge.

The President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Timothy Fok, and the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Shelley Lee, also officiated at the ceremony, which was attended by athletes, students and sports and district representatives.

To tie in with the hosting of the 2009 EAG, the Government had converted the Garden Plaza of Hong Kong Park and renamed it the Olympic Square.  

"The Olympic Square we are unveiling today will be a landmark to promote Olympism in Hong Kong.  It will be a focal point for major sports sector activities to be held in future," said Mr Fok, who was also the Chairman of the 5th East Asian Games Planning Committee.

The Olympic Square retains the original amphitheatre layout and columns of the Garden Plaza but the colonnade is now surmounted by the Olympic logo, which also adorns the left and right sides of the entrance.

Mr Fok also expressed deep appreciation to Count Rogge and the IOC for the consent for the Square to be named after the Olympics and the use of the 5-ring Olympic logo at the Square.

Further upgrading of the 1,100-square meter venue, including the installation of flag poles and a cauldron for torch lighting, will be completed by the end of October.

Ends/Monday, July 11, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:45

NNNN