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Beijing Olympic Equestrian Events Benefit Hong Kong

When the Hong Kong Equestrian Committee of Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad was launched on October 5, 2005, one could not help recalling the stunning announcement on July 8, 2005, that Hong Kong would host the equestrian events for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

July 8 is regarded as a milestone in Hong Kong's sporting history by Ho Chi Ping, executive vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Equestrian Committee, and secretary for Hong Kong Home Affairs. He plans to use the Olympic opportunity to strengthen Hong Kong's international status and to promote the region's tourism industry. He will be joined by others who will also seek to take advantage of the event to display Hong Kong's experience, facilities and abilities related to holding equestrian events to help attract more sports events to the city. 

Solid infrastructure for equestrian events

Hong Kong has a long history of horse racing and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJB), which was founded in 1848 as an amateur body, changed its status to professional in 1971. The club is equipped with facilities for horse quarantines, medical treatment, transportation, stabling, feed supplies and world-class, skilled personnel certified by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the International Olympic Committee. Though horse racing differs from Olympic events such as dressage, jumping and eventing, the facilities and equipment needed are much the same.    

It is well known that the horse racing is a game for the rich. Each race horse's value can be in the millions of dollars. Therefore the health of racing horses is always a big concern for the host city. By the 2008 Games, the laboratory at the Shatin Race Course, Hong Kong, which is the only laboratory certified by the FEI in Asia and one of only five in the world, will undertake the role of providing horse quarantines. Ho expressed his confidence in Hong Kong's advantages when it comes to its ability to ensure the safety of the horses and a smooth-running competition. The horse hospital at the Shatin Race Course, equipped with operating, anaesthesia and recovery rooms will provide emergency medical care for the animals during the Games.

Horse transportation needs are well-understood by the HKJC, because each year nearly 700 horse races are conducted in the two race tracks in Shatin and Happy Valley. Worldwide horse transportation agencies have already become familiar with this hub. The modern HKJC transportation team is equipped with 15 transport trucks, which makes it possible for 99 horses to be moved to race tracks at the same time.

These complete facilities provide full service feeding and living accommodations for the world's best racing horses. The club has all the equipment needed to provide top-quality services for the horses and their owners. If the animals become ill during Games time, they can be sent to the on-site hospital for professional treatment and care.

Equestrian events benefit the Hong Kong residents

Co-hosting the Olympic equestrian events will benefit Hong Kong residents directly and indirectly.

The Olympic equestrian events will draw attention to the HKSAR but also to residents in nearby regions and countries. Those who love equestrian events, including the wealthy and noble, would not have hesitated to travel thousands of miles to view the competitions had they been held in Beijing. Now, instead, those economic benefits will now accrue to the HKSAR. Thus the HKSAR tourist market will be enhanced. Ho estimates that-based on the results of Athens Olympic Games-by the time of the 2008 Olympic Games, Hong Kong will be able to pocket HK$100 million-$300 million left in the region by about 10,000 to 30,000 high-end tourists.

Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee, chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board, also regards the co-hosting as a good chance for Hong Kong to promote itself, to tighten the relationships between the Hong Kong residents and the Games as well as a route to promote Olympics-related tourism, reported by Ta Kung Pao newspaper.

The co-hosting is also welcomed by Hong Kong citizens who hope the Olympic Games will highlight Hong Kong's image as a metropolitan and dynamic tourist city.

Beijing and Hong Kong are sharing the fortune brought by the Olympic Games. And both are confidently striving for an outstanding Olympic Games.