The 2008 Beijing Olympic Equestrian Events Hong Kong Fund will
issue 5,000 official commemorative medals, hoping to raise 10
million Hong Kong dollars (US$1.29 million) to support activities
relating to the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events.
The picture of the medal on the website of Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) government shows that it depicts an
equestrian athlete and his steed leaping over the Victoria Harbor
skyline.
The medal is made of gold-plated 925 silver. Designed by local
designer Alan Chan, the medal's reverse features the HKSAR emblem
and a repeat pattern of 2008. Each medal includes a certificate of
authenticity with a serial number, a crystal case and a wooden box
decorated with horsehair.
"Both the medal's design and its packaging are exquisite. I
would like to own one, too. It not only marks your support for the
promotion of equestrian sports in Hong Kong but is also a perpetual
treasure of China's pride," said former Secretary for Justice Elsie
Leung, now chairman of the Board of Governors of the 2008 Beijing
Olympic Equestrian Events Hong Kong Fund, in a recent
interview.
Leung expected the public will welcome the medals.
Leung said that there are strict regulations governing the
production of Olympics-related goods. After much persuasion, the
board finally obtained consent to issue the medal from the Beijing
Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad, also known as
BOCOG.
The board has limited the initial issue to 5,000 medals, which
will sell for 3,998 Hong Kong dollars (about US$516) each. The
board may consider issuing more editions if the response from the
public is encouraging.
The Fund's Board of Governors, the Sports Federation and Olympic
Committee of Hong Kong, and the Home Affairs Bureau will jointly
organize a fundraising event at Hong Kong Coliseum on April 30, to
mark the 100-day countdown to the Olympics. The event also aims to
foster the Olympics spirit.
"Through the selling of commemorative medals and the 100-day
countdown fund-raising event, I strongly believe that we can
fulfill our target of raising 40 million Hong Kong dollars (US$5.16
million)," Leung said, adding the board has already raised more
than 16.9 million Hong Kong dollars (US$2.18 million) since it was
set up last December.
The Fund supports projects and activities that aim to build and
galvanize community support for the Olympic equestrian events, such
as the volunteer program, the "HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup" test
event and an inter-cities primary schools quiz.
(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2007)