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CS' opening remarks at "We Are Ready!" press conference (with photos/video)
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     Following are the opening remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at the "We Are Ready!" press conference at City Media Centre today (August 7):     

     Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining us today.

     Three years ago, Hong Kong was entrusted by the IOC and BOCOG to stage the equestrian events for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

     It was a great honour for us to have been asked to contribute to the Olympic Games, and contribute to our country.

     Over the past three years, we have worked tirelessly to put in place world-class facilities and finish all the preparations in record time, with a view to co-hosting the most successful Olympic equestrian events.  

     With 218 horses from 42 countries and regions taking part in the equestrian events, this is a new record in Olympic history.

     We are delighted that all horses have arrived safely.  They are in good condition.  So far athletes from 38 countries and regions have checked into the Olympic Village, and they are happy with the hospitality arrangements and friendly atmosphere there.

     There are altogether 200,000 tickets for the events.  All the 120,000 tickets allocated to Hong Kong are sold-out.  The response was enthusiastic and exceeded our expectations.

     We are also pleased to see China and Hong Kong, China for the first time competing in the Olympic equestrian events.  I trust our fellow citizens and spectators from around the world will look forward to cheering athletes from Hong Kong, from the Mainland and from all parts of the world.

     Over the past two weeks we have tried to keep the media and the public fully informed about our preparations.

     There have been briefings and press conferences on a range of Games-related subjects, including security, preparations at the airport, horse arrivals, the opening of the Olympic Village, food safety and hygiene, medical facilities and deployment, protection of Olympic intellectual property, weather services and forecasting, transport, spectator services and House Rules, as well as media facilities and services.

     The media coverage and feedback has helped us refine our work in order to best serve the participating teams, spectators and members of the public.

     Tomorrow evening, the eyes of the world will be gazing at the opening ceremony in Beijing. On Saturday morning, all eyes of the equestrian world will be focused on Hong Kong.

     The equestrian events will last for 12 days.  All the events will be held outdoors, under hot and humid conditions with threat of typhoons.  The sport has its inherent danger. All these factors are beyond our control and, when combined, create tremendous challenges.  And to many spectators, it might also be their first time to attend an equestrian event.  So it is going to be a learning process for everyone.  

     All of us involved in the organising work have been trying our best to meet these challenges.  We hope to have the spectators' understanding as well as your co-operation, such as arriving at the venue early so as to avoid last-minute bunching and the risk of missing part of the events. Please observe House Rules, pay attention to media reports on possible rescheduling of events in case of inclement weather.  

     To the travelling public - especially those who are using East Rail - I appeal for your support and understanding if the morning or evening peak hour commute is a little more crowded than usual.  

     And, to all the people and businesses in Sha Tin and North District who may be affected by the transport and security arrangements during the Games, I thank you for your patience, good will and community spirit that is necessary for all of us to make these Games a success.

     While we are taking every necessary measure to help achieve the objective of co-hosting the equestrian events in a peaceful and orderly manner, we very much want the equestrian events to be a happy, joyous and memorable occasion for everyone.  And let's cheer the athletes together.

     In the past 36 months, we have come a long way. We can say now: "We Are Ready!". "We are Ready" to stage the most successful Olympic equestrian events. Thank you.

Ends/Thursday, August 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:01

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