HONG KONG-- Timothy Fok, president of the Sports Federation and Olympics Committee of Hong Kong, China, briefed a visiting IOC (International Olympics Committee) delegation Monday on the city's readiness for the Olympic equestrian events next year.

"Hong Kong's efforts in Olympic promotion and its readiness for the equestrian events next year were presented to the delegation," the Information Services Department said in a press release, echoing a song created by Hong Kong musicians this year to celebrate the one year countdown to 2008 Beijing Olympics -- "We Are Ready".

The delegation of about 20, including representatives of IOC Co-ordination Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad - Beijing 2008 and of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), toured the Olympic Village and equestrian venues in Sha Tin and Sheung Shui, Hong Kong, on Monday.

The IOC delegation, headed by commission chairman Hein Verbruggen, arrived in the Olympics co-host city Sunday to begin a two-day visit and saw the famed Victoria Harbor, dotted with Olympic-related decorations and shows, while cruising on a ship.

Hong Kong has built state-of-art facilities for the equestrian events next year, including a 5.7 km cross-country course, warm-up, finish arenas at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Beas River Country Club and the adjacent Hong Kong Golf Club in Sheung Shui.

The core equestrian venue in Sha Tin had been converted from the Hong Kong Sports Institute and Penfold Park, which included air-conditioned main stable complex and main arena, as well as the practice arenas for jumping and dressage.