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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Hong Kong today (May 2):
Torchbearers, Mr Yang Shuan, Mr Timothy Fok, distinguished guests and friends,
After a nearly eight-hour relay by 119 torchbearers, and with the lighting of the cauldron just now, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Hong Kong has successfully come to an end.
Today's relay was truly a journey of harmony. Every member of our community who defied the rain and took part played an indispensable role in creating this ocean of red that has washed over Hong Kong today. We cheered each relay runner, and we embraced the Olympic Spirit with passion and a sense of unity.
This magnificent event has been the result of the close collaboration between the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee, various sectors of our community, enthusiastic individuals, and also the government departments. We want to thank the IOC and BOCOG for your invaluable advice and your guidance. We want to thank the torchbearers for your devotion and efforts to spread the Olympic Spirit throughout our city. We want to thank the many supporting organisations, all the volunteers, and all my colleagues from the Government.
Most importantly, we want to thank our fellow citizens for your unswerving support and your active participation. It was you who helped create a spirit-lifting chapter in this Journey of Harmony for the Olympic Torch. And it was you who will make today's relay a much-treasured moment in our city's history and in our collective memory.
Ladies and gentlemen, the flame will soon be re-settled in the tinder lamp ahead of its journey to Macau. It is now time for us to translate our passion into action. Every second counts in the remaining 98 days to the Equestrian Events. We need to make sure everything is in best shape when we welcome back the Olympic Flame in August.
We now extend our best wishes to all of the cities that will host the remaining legs of the Torch Relay, as the torch continues its journey of harmony across the vast expanse of our great Motherland.
Thank you.
Ends/Friday, May 2, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:52
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