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National athletes visit HKJC to show gratitude for Club's Olympic contribution

20 November 2008

A 24-strong delegation from China's history-making Olympic team, comprising officials of the Gymnastics Centre of the State General Administration of Sports along with coaches and athletes from the national gymnastics and trampoline squads, visited Sha Tin Racecourse and had a first-hand look at the Olympic equestrian venues today (20 November). The visit was arranged to support Hong Kong's sports development and show the national team's gratitude for the professional support given by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sports Medicine and Health Sciences Centre during the Games.

The delegation was met by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman John C C Chan and Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who joined the athletes in a wish-making and pledging ceremony in the Parade Ring as part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations for Sha Tin Racecourse.

The Club's construction of world-class equestrian venues for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games has further underlined its long-standing commitment to promoting sports development in Hong Kong. In earlier years, among other projects, the Club helped fund the building of Hong Kong Sports Institute to nurture local sports talent and established the Jockey Club Ti-I College to develop students' potential in sport and visual arts. The Club is continuing to promote the Olympic spirit and preserve the Olympic legacy now the Games are over by establishing the Hong Kong Olympic Museum at Sha Tin Racecourse and converting Penfold Park into an interactive equine park.

Since Sha Tin Racecourse opened in 1978, it has also helped put Hong Kong on the world sporting map by staging many prestigious international races and other events. To mark the 30th Anniversary of the racecourse, Mr Chan and Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges, witnessed by the visiting athletes, filled a time capsule with 3 CDs recording the Club's contributions to society during the past 30 years. This ceremony encapsulated the many benefits the Club brings to people from all walks of life and its continued support for the community's development.

In another part of the ceremony, the visiting National athletes pledged their support for Hong Kong's sports development by hanging their wishes on a wishing tree and encouraging the Club and the community to joining hands in promoting sport. The wishing tree will be permanently displayed at Penfold Park in Sha Tin.

Mr Chan pledged that the Club, with its mission of "Racing for Charity", would continue putting great efforts into promoting local sports development and enhancing Hong Kong people's quality of life. He thanked the delegation for paying a visit to the Club and also the professionals of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sports Medicine and Health Sciences Centre who were stationed in Beijing to provide quality care and treatment to athletes from the China and Hong Kong teams during the Games.

The delegation was led by Gymnastics Centre Deputy Director Lu Shanzhen and fellow officials of the State General Administration of Sports. It included National Gymnastics Team leader Zhang Peiwen, gymnasts Huang Xu, Zou Kai, Xiao Qin, Chen Yibing, Lu Bo, Dong Zhendong, Cheng Fei, Yang Yilin, He Ning and Xiao Sha, along with trampolinists Lu Chunlong, He Wenna, Huang Shanshan and Dong Dong. China's gymnasts contributed 18 of their nation's record 100 medals at the much acclaimed Beijing 2008 Olympics.


Photo 1:
Club Chairman Mr John C C Chan pledges to continue putting great efforts into promoting local sports development and enhancing Hong Kong people's quality of life.


Photo 2:
Club Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges put a CD into a time capsule, recording the Club's contributions to the community over the past 30 years.


Photo 3:
Photo 3 / 4 / 5:
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Medallists gymnasts Mr Chen Yibing, Ms Cheng Fei and trampolinist Ms He Wenna pledge their support for Hong Kong's sports development at the wish-making ceremony.


Photo 4


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Photo 6:
Distinguished guests with National Team Delegation. (1st row from left) Club Executive Director, Charities Mr William Y Yiu, Club Executive Director, Corporate Development Mr Kim Mak, Club Executive Director, Racing Mr William A Nader, The State General Administration of Sports' Gymnastics Centre Deputy Director Mr Lu Shanzhen, Club Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Club Chairman Mr John C C Chan, Club Steward Mr Stephen Ip Shu Kwan, National Gymnastics Team leader Mr Zhang Peiwen, Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of The Polytechnic University of Hong Kong Prof George Woo, Director of The HKJC Sports Medicine and Health Sciences Centre Prof Joanne Chung and Centre's Deputy Director Dr Bob Chen.

 

 

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