Running for the whole day, the Torch Relay started at 10:30 am at the Launching Ceremony at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Gymnastics, drum music, dancing and singing performances were staged, filling the atmosphere with joy and excitement. Mr Donald Tsang, the Chief Executive; Mr Yang Shu'an, the Executive Vice-President of Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG); Mr Timothy Fok, the President of the Federation; and Mr Gao Siren, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region officiated at the ceremony. Mr Tsang then announced the start of the Olympic Torch Relay in Hong Kong. The flame attendants lit the torch with the Olympic Flame in the safety lantern and Olympic wind-surfing gold medallist Lee Lai-shan received the torch from Mr Tsang and started the Hong Kong leg of Torch Relay.
The total distance of the Torch Relay in Hong Kong was 26 km completed in 7 hours by 119 Torchbearers. The alternative modes of transport have comprised dragon boat, horse riding, and vessel on top of the regular mode of running. The route, passing through major landmarks and scenic spots which included 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 the Golden Bauhinia Square, had showcased to the world Hong Kong’s beautiful scenery and the vibrancy of the city, Asia’s World City. Over 100,000 on-lookers and supporters warmly greeted the Convoy and especially the Torchbearers along the relay route on the day.
A community celebration attended by more than 16,000 spectators was organised at the Sha Tin Racecourse. The last torchbearer, Wong Kam-po, the gold medallist from the Men's Individual Road Race at the Doha Asian Games, carried the torch to the Golden Bauhinia Square and lit the cauldron, symbolising the smooth completion of the Torch Relay.
After a series of Chinese and Western cultural performances, the flame attendants retrieved the Olympic Flame from the cauldron 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 where the next leg will be held tomorrow (May 3).
Issued by: Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China
Date: 2 May 2008
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