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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at the signing ceremony of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – the Hong Kong Jockey Club Cooperation Agreement and grand opening of Hong Kong Jockey Club's Beijing Clubhouse in Beijing this (April 10) evening:
President Rogge, Vice Chairman Chen (Zuo'er),
Vice President Wang (Wei), John (Chan), Tim (Fok),
Distinguished Guests, Ladies & Gentlemen,
Good Evening. I am delighted to be here today to witness two milestone events relating to the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events and the Hong Kong Jockey Club: the signing ceremony for the Cooperation Agreement between IOC and the Jockey Club, and the grand opening of the Jockey Club's Clubhouse in Beijing.
Since Hong Kong was entrusted with the important task of co-hosting the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, we have been mobilising our best resources in the Hong Kong community to make the events a success. We feel that this is the best way to express our gratitude and our sense of honour to IOC, BOCOG and the Federation Equestre Internationale who have placed so much trust in us. One of our valuable resources is the Jockey Club.
For many years, the Jockey Club made substantial contributions to Hong Kong's development, both in providing world-class equine facilities and in donating enormous amounts to charitable causes. For the Equestrian Events, the Jockey Club has been recognized as the Outstanding Contributor to the Events. It has already invested HK$1.2 billion in providing the best equestrian venues and facilities in Olympic history, and is setting new standards in Olympic equestrian sport. For example, it will be the first time Olympic horses are accommodated in air-conditioned stables round-the-clock; the first time riders are offered the use of an indoor air-conditioned training arena; the first time an FEI reference laboratory is available on-site for testing equine samples at an Olympic equestrian venue, just to name a few.
On top of this investment, the Hong Kong Government and the community have also committed about HK$300M in support of the torch relay, live site celebrations, a territory-wide programme for different age groups to take part in Olympic promotional activities, as well as overseas promotion of the Events.
In three weeks' time the Olympic torch will arrive in Hong Kong, and in 17 weeks the Equestrian Events will take place in Hong Kong. The cooperation today between IOC and the Jockey Club to leave an important Olympic legacy in Hong Kong in the form of exhibitions couldn't be more timely.
Since the Equestrian Events are so important to Hong Kong, it is most fitting that the Olympic spirit should live on after the Olympic Games are over. I am therefore delighted that the Jockey Club has generously agreed to further promote Olympism by partnering with the IOC to stage Olympic-themed exhibitions and promotions in order to educate our younger generations about the Olympic spirit. We are grateful that the Hong Kong Sports Federation & Olympic Committee gives this initiative its full support and valuable advice.
Today is also the happy occasion of the grand opening of the Jockey Club's Beijing Clubhouse. Since the reunification of Hong Kong with our motherland just over a decade ago, the Jockey Club has gazed beyond its origin and set its vision on building first-class facilities in our capital city. I am sure the Jockey Club's new Beijing Clubhouse will help to cater for the increasing demand for high standard leisure facilities in the Mainland, a reflection of growing affluence of China. May I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Jockey Club for all you have done.
Ladies and Gentlemen, these are exciting times for all of us. The Olympic Games are coming to Chinese soil for the first time ever. On behalf of the Hong Kong people, I would like to say a big thank you once again to IOC and BOCOG for giving us the opportunity to participate in this historic event. Let me assure you Hong Kong will spare no effort to stage the most successful Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.
Thank you.
Ends/Thursday, April 10, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:16
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