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Young, energetic Hong Kong athletes of the 42nd International Children's Games 2008 were welcomed by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office as they arrived San Francisco today (July 10, San Francisco time).
Endorsed by the International Olympic Committee, the International Children's Games is the only global, youth athletic event that combines sports, educational programs and peace-motivated cultural exchanges. It is entrusted with the mission to enable children of the world, with different languages, origins and outlooks, to meet each year on the field of competition to practise friendship and understanding and to help secure world peace through the Olympic ideals.
The 42nd International Children's Games 2008 will be held in San Francisco from July 10 to 15. The Games will bring together 1,500 athletes aged 12 to 15 years old from 100 cities representing 50 countries form around the world to compete in track and field, tennis, swimming, volleyball, soccer, table tennis, basketball and golf.
The Hong Kong Team comprising of six young athletes, who will compete in golf and swimming, is led by Professor Mee-lee Leung, Chef de Mission; Mr. Brad Alan Schadewitz, Golf Coach; and Ms Fu Mui, Swimming Coach.
Welcoming the Hong Kong Team, Ms Doris Cheung, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, said "Hong Kong is committed to sports development. To provide our junior athletes with more exposure to the contests with their counterparts overseas, we have sent our junior athletes to various international sports competitions. The participation in the San Francisco International Children's Games is a golden opportunity for the young athletes to experience sports exchange with the sports talents worldwide."
"As a proud co-host city of the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, Hong Kong is truly riding high with Olympic spirit. Lots of city events including countdown celebrations, carnivals, youth parade and exhibitions are being held. To further enhance community participation, free Olympic Live Sites will be set up in Victoria Park and Sha Tin Park to feature live broadcasts of the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the Games."
"In preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, the Hong Kong Jockey Club invested more than US$150 million to build world-class facilities at Sha Tin for jumping and dressage and at Beas River for cross -country events," Ms Cheung added. The Olympic Village will officially open on July 26 when the first batch of horses and athletes will arrive in Hong Kong.
"While we are thrilled to stage the Equestrian Events, we are also glad to see our young athletes celebrating the Olympic spirit through participation in the International Children's Games. As Asia's World City, the Government helps to culture an environment in which creative freedom, sporting excellence and recreation can thrive. I am delighted to meet our young sports talents. I know they will embrace the Olympic spirit of Solidarity, Fair Play and Friendship. I wish the Hong Kong Team the best of luck at the Games."
Joining Ms Cheung in welcoming the Hong Kong Team was Mr. G. Bradford Solso, Chairman of the 2008 International Children's Games.
A trailer of "Hong Kong Reins", a special TV program on Hong Kong as an Olympic co-host city and Asia's World City, was also shown. The 30-minute program will be broadcast on NBC11 in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose on August 8, prior to airing of the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
Ends/Friday, July 11, 2008
Issued at HKT 08:56
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