100-day countdown begins for Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games
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The 100-day countdown ceremony to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games was held at the Hong Kong Central Library on May 28. Photo shows the five officiating guests with an hourglass signifying the start of the countdown. From left: Chief Executive Officer of Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Lam Woon-kwong, Deputy Mayor of Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Village Elsie Leung, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau, Chairman of Hong Kong Jockey Club John Chan and Chairman of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled Jenny Fung. |
The 100-day countdown ceremony to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games was held at the Hong Kong Central Library on May 28.
Speaking at the ceremony, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau noted, “Twenty-one athletes will represent Hong Kong in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, competing in eight events: equestrian sports, athletics, boccia, wheelchair fencing, table tennis, shooting, rowing and weightlifting.
“I am sure our talented athletes will give their best at the Games,” she said.
Mrs. Yau said organizing the Olympic Games is China’s dream of a century come true, and the nation is ready for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Hong Kong is honored to be one of the Olympic co-host cities to stage the Equestrian Events. We will make every endeavor to ensure the smooth running of the events in Hong Kong,” she said.
In addition to the countdown ceremony, there was an exhibition of approximately 100 Paralympic Games-themed drawings contributed by disabled athletes. “Through their works, they express their feelings about the Paralympic spirit and seek to engage public participation in welcoming the Paralympic Games,” Mrs. Yau said. “These remarkable drawings are most inspiring since they bring out vividly the perseverance of the disabled.”
The Permanent Secretary also called on Hong Kong residents to donate aid to Sichuan earthquake victims. “I am sure the citizens will offer the same strong support to the earthquake relief efforts as they have been giving to the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.”
Chairman of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled Jenny Fung said 16 students from eight local schools for the learning disabled had been selected for their achievements in sports, arts, design and computer science to become “Student Ambassadors for the Beijing Paralympics.” They will be entrusted with the important task of promoting the Paralympic spirit and culture among fellow students, family and friends.
“In September, these chosen 16 will leave for Beijing, where they will experience first-hand the first Paralympics on Chinese soil, as well as to cheer and support the athletes of the [Hong Kong Special Administrative Region] delegation,” said Mrs. Fung.
Also officiating at the countdown ceremony were Deputy Mayor of Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Village Elsie Leung, Chairman of Hong Kong Jockey Club John Chan and Chief Executive Officer of Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Lam Woon-kwong. The event was organized by the Home Affairs Bureau and the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled.
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