The Hong Kong Jockey Club organises world-class horse racing and operates through a not-for-profit business model whereby its surpluses go to charitable and community projects. The Club's donations of over HK$1 billion a year make it one of the largest non-government charity/community donors in the world.

In support of the nation's hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games, the Club is determined to play its part in setting new "world firsts".

The Club has invested over HK$800 million in building the venues for the Olympic and Paralympic Games equestrian events and supporting facilities. This will be the most advanced, all-embracing establishment in the history of the Olympics. At Sha Tin, recognised worldwide as a leading centre of equine sports, the venues have been built in less than two years, adopting the most innovative ideas and making optimum use of existing sports facilities. With the Club's vast experience in organising world-class racing and its internationally recognised Racing Laboratory, equine healthcare facilities and quarantine protocols, we are confident that the Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong will attract the world's top horses and riders.

At Beas River Country Club and the adjacent Hong Kong Golf Club, the cross country course and training facilities built by the Club will give the Olympic athletes - and a global television audience - a glimpse of the breathtaking scenic beauty they might not expect to find in this international business and finance centre.

In helping to achieve the goal of a green Olympics, the Club has made sure that all construction work, building materials and energy-saving measures meet or exceed best international practices. To name a few, drainage systems have been designed to protect the venues from flooding even in the heaviest rainfall, trees have been preserved and additional ones planted around the main competition and training arenas, and construction timetables have been carefully scheduled to avoid disturbing egret habitats.

The completion of these world-leading Olympic venues is a remarkable achievement of which all Hong Kong people can feel proud. Moreover, as most of these facilities will be retained for future sporting and community use, they will leave a long-term legacy for the public's benefit.

The Beijing 2008 Olympics are the first Olympic Games to be staged in China and also offer a unique opportunity to Hong Kong. Let's all work hand-in-hand with our nation to organise the best and most distinctive Olympic Games in history.