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| Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang (second from right) handed the Olympic flame to the first torchbearer Olympic wind-surfing gold medalist Lee Lai-shan at the launching ceremony. Also presiding at the launching ceremony were (from right): Executive Vice-President of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Yang Shu'an, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Gao Siren and the President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China Timothy Fok. |
The Olympic Torch Relay held May 2 in Hong Kong — the first stop on Chinese soil after the torch’s journey across five continents — ended successfully with the Olympic spirit spreading across the territory.
The launching ceremony of the Torch Relay was held at 10 a.m. in the Piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Gymnastics, drum music, dancing and singing performances added to the joyous atmosphere.
Officiating at the launching ceremony were: Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang; Executive Vice-President of Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) Yang Shu’an; President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China Timothy Fok; and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Gao Siren.
Mr. Tsang said it was a great honor for Hong Kong to be the first leg of the journey of the Olympic flame back on Chinese soil after its global journey.
“As a cosmopolitan city of China, Hong Kong is uniquely placed to play this bridging role between the peoples of the world and the people of our country,” he said.
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Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang (right) representing the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region receives the Olympic torch presented by the Executive Vice-President of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Yang Shu'an, at the closing ceremony. |
The Olympic ideals of friendship, equality and solidarity are universal ideals that form an intrinsic part of society and make Hong Kong tick, he said.
Prior to the start of the Torch Relay, the flame attendants lit the torch with the Olympic flame in the safety lantern and passed the torch to Mr. Yang, who in turn passed the torch to Mr. Tsang, who displayed it to the guests.
Hong Kong’s Olympic wind-surfing gold medalist Lee Lai-shan received the torch from Mr. Tsang and started the Hong Kong leg of the Torch Relay.
The Olympic flame was carried by 119 torchbearers through Kowloon, the New Territories and Hong Kong Island to spread the Olympic spirit through running and various modes of transport including horse, dragon boat and vessel.
The route passed through major landmarks and scenic spots including Tsing Ma Bridge, Shing Mun River, Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue (Sha Tin), Sha Tin Racecourse, Avenue of Stars, Victoria Harbour, Legislative Council Building and Golden Bauhinia Square. The route showcased to the world Hong Kong’s beautiful scenery and the vibrancy of Hong Kong - Asia’s world city. More than 16,000 spectators attended a community celebration at the Sha Tin Racecourse.
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Torchbearer Wong Kam-po, the gold medalist from the Men’s Individual Road Race at the Doha Asian Games, lit the cauldron in Golden Bauhinia Square, symbolizing the smooth completion of the Torch Relay. |
The last torch bearer in Hong Kong was Wong Kam-po, the gold medalist from the Men’s Individual Road Race at the Doha Asian Games. He carried the torch to Golden Bauhinia Square and lit the cauldron, symbolizing the smooth completion of the Torch Relay.
Speaking at the closing ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square, the Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang said the relay was truly a journey of harmony. Every member of the community who defied the rain and took part in the Torch Relay played an indispensable role in creating this “sea of red” that swamped Hong Kong. People cheered for each torchbearer and embraced the Olympic spirit with passion and a sense of unity.
“Every second counts in the remaining 98 days to the Equestrian Events. We need to make sure everything is in its best shape when the Olympic flame is rekindled in August,” he said.
After a series of Chinese and Western cultural performances, the flame attendants retrieved the Olympic flame from the cauldron and moved it to the safety lantern, which marked the end of the Torch Relay in Hong Kong.
The Olympic flame then left for the Hong Kong International Airport where it was taken on a charter flight to Macau for the next leg of the Torch Relay.
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