The Hong Kong, China, Delegation to the 42nd International Children’s Games in San Francisco achieved remarkable results winning six medals including two gold, one silver and three bronze.

Chan Kin-lok snatched two gold medals in Girls 100 yard Butterfly and Girls 50 yard Butterfly while Konstantin Liu won a silver in Boys Golf.

The girls’ swimming team won a bronze medal in the Girls 400 yard Medley Relay, while Natalie Wong and Fiona Ma got two bronze medals in Girls 100 yard Backstroke and Girls 100 yard Breaststroke respectively. The girls’ swimming team was represented by Chan Kin-lok, Fiona Ma, Natalie Wong and Yu Wai-ting.

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (SFETO), Ms Doris Cheung extended her congratulations to both the swimming and golf teams. “I applaud our young athletes for their outstanding performances. This is the best recognition of their efforts. The Government is committed to provide our junior athletes with more exposure to contests with their counterparts overseas, and participation in the San Francisco International Children’s Games is a golden opportunity for them to embrace the Olympic spirit of Solidarity, Fair Play and Friendship.”

The Hong Kong Team was welcomed by the SFETO on July 10 upon their arrival in San Francisco. The Team comprising of six young athletes, was led by Professor Mee-lee Leung, Chef de Mission; Mr. Brad Alan Schadewitz, Golf Coach; and Ms Fu Mui, Swimming Coach.

Welcoming the Hong Kong Team, Ms Doris Cheung, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, said “Hong Kong is committed to sports development. The San Francisco International Children’s Games provides an opportunity for the young athletes to experience sports exchange with the sports talents worldwide.”

“As a proud co-host city of the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, Hong Kong is truly riding high with Olympic spirit. Lots of city events including countdown celebrations, carnivals, youth parade and exhibitions are being held. To further enhance community participation, free Olympic Live Sites will be set up in Victoria Park and Sha Tin Park to feature live broadcasts of the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the Games.”

“In preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, the Hong Kong Jockey Club invested more than US$150 million to build world-class facilities at Sha Tin for jumping and dressage and at Beas River for cross -country events,” Ms Cheung added. The Olympic Village will officially open on July 26 when the first batch of horses and athletes will arrive in Hong Kong.

“While we are thrilled to stage the Equestrian Events, we are also glad to see our young athletes celebrating the Olympic spirit through participation in the International Children’s Games. As Asia’s World City, the Government helps to culture an environment in which creative freedom, sporting excellence and recreation can thrive,” she added.

Joining Ms Cheung in welcoming the Hong Kong Team was Mr. G. Bradford Solso, Chairman of the 2008 International Children’s Games.

The 42nd International Children’s Games 2008 was held in San Francisco from July 10-July 15. The Games brought together 1,500 athletes aged 12 to 15 years old from 100 cities representing 50 countries from around the world to compete in track and field, tennis, swimming, volleyball, soccer, table tennis, basketball and golf.

Endorsed by the International Olympic Committee, the International Children’s Games is the only global, youth athletic event that combines sports, educational programs and peace-motivated cultural exchanges. It is entrusted with the mission to enable children of the world, with different languages, origins and outlooks, to meet each year on the field of competition to practise friendship and understanding and to help secure world peace through the Olympic ideals.