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Speech by President of Equestrian Committee Henry Tang at Welcome Reception (With photos/video)
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     Following is the speech by the President of the Equestrian Committee, Mr Henry Tang, at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Equestrian Events Hong Kong Welcome Reception at Shatin Racecourse this evening (August 8):

     Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

     Good evening.

     I am delighted to welcome you to the Olympic co-host city of Hong Kong, Asia's world city.

     We are honoured and excited to be joining Beijing on this historic occasion - the opening of the 29th Olympiad.

     We are grateful for the trust that the International Olympic Committee has placed in us. We are also determined to help ensure that the Beijing Games will be a memorable occasion for athletes, technical and team officials, spectators as well as the global audience.

     Tonight's events signal the start of the 2008 Olympics. They also mark the end of years of preparation and hard work in Beijing, in Hong Kong, and in the other co-host cities to be ready on time.

     Ladies and gentlemen, We Are Ready.

     In Hong Kong, the Olympic ideals of friendship, fair play and solidarity are deeply ingrained in our society.  We have a hard-earned reputation for punching above our weight in the league of global financial and business centres.  And it was with Hong Kong's famous "can do" spirit that we took up the challenge of staging the Olympic Equestrian Events.

     Allow me to list a few milestones specific to the Equestrian Events.

     Among them:
- the first air-conditioned stables and indoor training area,
- the first mobile cooling units for horses,
- the first on-site testing lab for equine samples,
- the first recycling of 100% of stable waste, and
- the first on-site weather station for an equestrian event.

     This has been achieved in less than 3 years, making it the fastest provision of an Olympic equestrian venue.

     I thank the IOC and BOCOG for their advice and guidance; the FEI for its professional advice and technical assistance; the Hong Kong Sports Federation and Olympic Committee for promoting the Olympic Spirit in Hong Kong; members of the Equestrian Committee for their untiring support; the Hong Kong Equestrian Company for making  all  the  detailed arrangements for the Games and, of course, the Hong Kong Jockey Club for providing world-class venues with all the trimmings.

     The Olympics will last for a little over two weeks. But the Olympic spirit will remain with us for generations.

     Ladies and gentlemen, it remains for me only to wish the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the Equestrian Events a resounding success.

     Let the Games Begin!  And let's wish all the athletes good luck.

     Thank you very much!

Ends/Friday, August 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:33

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