OLYMPICS/ Hong kong
HK well-prepared for equestrian trial event
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-08 10:48
Hong Kong is ready for the upcoming Good Luck Beijing - HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup eventing competition, an Olympics trial event, an official from the company set up for the Hong Kong equestrian events said Tuesday.
International competitors to compete in the event this weekend, altogether 17 from leading equestrian nations including Australia, France, Germany, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States, have found their horses doing well, said Lam Woon- Kwong, chief executive officer of Hong Kong's Equestrian Company.
A worker fills up an indoor training arena with treated sand for the equestrian event of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games near Shatin race track in Hong Kong July 7, 2007.[Reuters] |
"It is a good opportunity for staging an Olympics rehearsal," Lam said, "The trial event is of a smaller scale. Nevertheless, it can serve the role of a rehearsal."
Security, transport and horse quarantine measures will be tested in reference to Olympic standards, Lam said, adding that the Hong Kong Jockey Club and about 40 government institutions have been offering their support.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, charged with providing venues for the Olympics equestrian events, had built air-conditioned stables and special cooling stations around the courses in order to combat local temperatures often above 30 degrees Celsius.
The Club said it has invested over 800 million HK dollars to complete the building of all key venues for the Beijing Olympics equestrian events, including a main competition arena, a 5.7- kilometer cross-country course, twelve outdoor training arenas, an air-conditioned indoor training arena, an equine clinic, etc.
After the Good Luck Beijing event, supporting facilities will be installed to finally complete the project.
"The Beijing Olympics are the first Olympic Games to be staged in China and also offer a unique opportunity to Hong Kong," The Hong Kong Jockey Club said in a press release, adding that it is committed to helping the nation organize the best and most distinctive Olympic Games.
Hong Kong police will take care of security at the Good Luck Beijing event and the local observatory will provide weather forecast services. The subway will start operating at an earlier time, too.
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