A senior International Olympic Committee (IOC)
official said on Tuesday that Hong Kong's legacy plan for
equestrian event venues for the 2008
Games had deeply impressed him.
Hong Kong had formulated a plan in which temporary
venues would be well used afterwards, Hein Verbruggen, the IOC’s
coordination commission chairman, said after an IOC delegation paid
their first visit to the special administrative region since it was
confirmed last July that the horse events would be held there.
"I believe Hong Kong's training center for elite
athletes will also get an upgrade after the Games," said
Verbruggen.
"It's my first time here to see the equestrian
venues for the 2008 Olympics. I'm very happy with what I saw. I
think it's a good start," he said.
The delegation toured the Hong Kong Jockey Club's
equine hospital and racing laboratory, as well as the Beas River
Country Club and Hong Kong Golf Club, where the competition will be
staged.
The delegation will report to the IOC and the
International Federation for Equestrian Sports.
(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2005)
