 Government sets up live Olympic broadcast sites
By Peggy Chan (HK Edition)
Updated: 2008-07-09 07:15
To ensure members of the public can enjoy the latest from the Beijing Olympic Games, the government has set up two sites in Sha Tin and Causeway Bay broadcasting events from the international sporting events at a cost of HK$30 million. Guidelines by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad require the host cities of the Olympics and Paralympics to set up live sites. "The live sites will provide the whole community, including visitors to Hong Kong and those who don't have time to go to Beijing for the Games, with opportunities to share the joy and experience the spirit of the Olympic Games," said Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau. The sites are located at the main plaza of the Sha Tin Park and central lawn of the Victoria Park which can altogether admit 10,000 visitors every day. The screen at Victoria Park will measure about 7.1m by 4m and that at Sha Tin Park will measure about 2m by 4m. There will be altogether 1,800 seats. Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Thomas Chow reiterated that other activities can still be conducted at other parts of the parks during the period. The sites will operate from August 8 to 24. Members of the public can get up to four admission tickets for free at the sites an hour in advance. There are two sessions every day. The morning session starts at 10am and ends at 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 10am to 4pm during weekends. The second session will start at 6pm and finish at 10pm during weekdays and from 4pm to 10pm during weekends. On the days of the opening and closing ceremonies, tickets will be issued to disadvantaged groups and the elderly throughout the city. The sites will not be open when a No 8 typhoon signal, black or red rainstorm warning is in force. Cheering cards will be available at the sites for visitors to write encouraging messages to the participating athletes. Yolanda Tong, chief leisure manager of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), said popular events or those that local athletes participate in will be broadcast. The LCSD will hire private companies for security check. "I believe the spirit will run particularly high at the opening ceremony of the Games," Yau said. (HK Edition 07/09/2008 page1) |
