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Hong Kong Athletes Shine at 2024 Paris Olympics, Chief Executive Congratulates Historic Achievements

HK

Hong Kong Athletes Shine at 2024 Paris Olympics, Chief Executive Congratulates Historic Achievements
HK

HK

Hong Kong Athletes Shine at 2024 Paris Olympics, Chief Executive Congratulates Historic Achievements

2024-08-11 22:00 Last Updated At:08-13 01:57

CE congratulates Hong Kong, China Delegation's historic results at Paris Olympics

With the closing of the 2024Paris Olympic Games today (August 11, Paris time), the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, concluded the performance of the Hong Kong, China Delegation by expressing his heartfelt congratulations to the athletes on their historic achievements and his gratitude to all sectors of the community for the strong support to the athletes.

"Hong Kong athletes have demonstrated their extraordinary capability at the 2024Paris Olympic Games and achieved historic results by capturing two gold medals and two bronze medals in four sports events. It was the first time that Hong Kong has won more than one gold medal at the same Olympic Games. Every Hong Kong athlete has given their utmost and unleashed their full potential in the Olympic arena. In spite of the results, all athletes have fully exhibited their determination, perseverance and will, demonstrating their professional attitude and sportsmanship. The people of Hong Kong and I are deeply inspired and moved. The people of Hong Kong are proud of the high level of performance shown by Hong Kong athletes, and each and every one of them is a hero in our hearts.

"The outstanding performance of Hong Kong athletes at this year's Olympic Games was thanks not only to their own efforts, but also to the dedication and meticulous training efforts of coaches and support teams, as well as the support of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and various national sports associations. I recognise and appreciate their contributions. I also thank the local universities and research and development teams for their scientific research achievements which have helped to enhance the performance of athletes," Mr Lee said.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government secured the broadcasting rights of the 2024Paris Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Hong Kong. Three local licensed television broadcasters and Radio Television Hong Kong have been broadcasting the Games in accordance with government requirements. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department also set up various Olympics Focal Sites in 18 districts to allow members of the public to watch the exciting events for free. Major shopping malls and buildings have also set up screens to broadcast the competitions, enabling members of the public to experience the excitement of this spectacular sports event, and cheer for the national team and Hong Kong athletes.

The HKSAR Government has been proactively allocating resources to develop elite sports in the past decade or so to ensure the provision of the best training facilities for athletes by setting up the Elite Athletes Development Fund to secure sufficient financial resources for the HKSI to meet the needs of athletes in various aspects and enhance the remuneration of elite athletes; providing scholarships and learning support for elite athletes' dual career development in sports and academics; and improving retirement arrangements for athletes including retirement cash incentives and comprehensive employment support. In addition, the Government will continue to provide more sports facilities, including converting an existing sports centre into a dedicated venue for fencing training and competitions, and expediting the study on the construction of an arena with fencing training and competition facilities as well as a swimming pool suitable for hosting international competitions. The Kai Tak Sports Park, the largest sports infrastructure project in Hong Kong's history, will open in the first half of 2025 and support Hong Kong's sports development in a more comprehensive manner.

In the year of 2024-25, the Government's annual funding for the HKSI, through the Elite Athletes Development Fund, amounted to $941.6 million, representing an increase of about 40 per cent over five years ago (the year of 2019-20). The Government's estimated expenditure on sports development in 2024-25 is around $7.9 billion, which has more than doubled compared to a decade ago. The focus of promotion is in five aspects, namely to promote sports in the community, support elite sports, promote Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, promote professionalism in the sports sector and foster the development of sports as an industry. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau has set aside funds under the Arts and Sport Development Fund (Sports Portion) to support athletes' preparation for and participation in international sports events like the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

"Over the past two weeks, the people of Hong Kong have been fully engaged in various events of the Olympic Games, cheering for athletes at home, Olympics Focal Sites and shopping malls with solidarity. The good performance of athletes at the 2024Paris Olympic Games has injected new impetus to Hong Kong's sports development and encouraged more enterprises and members of the public to support Hong Kong athletes, creating a positive social atmosphere and motivating more people to exercise. The HKSAR Government will continue to support sports development in Hong Kong in terms of policy, facilities and resources.

"A number of important sports events will take place shortly, including the 2024Paris Paralympic Games in late August, as well as the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games to be cohosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao towards the end of next year. I am confident that various sectors will continue to support Hong Kong athletes to shine in the competitions, demonstrating the indomitable spirit of Hong Kong," Mr Lee said.

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025

Officiated by Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Pan Yundong and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, a reception in celebration of International Customs Day (ICD) 2025 was held by Hong Kong Customs at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (January 21).

The World Customs Organization (WCO) set the theme of this year's ICD as "Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity", highlighting the crucial and diverse roles of Customs in streamlining customs clearance procedures, safeguarding society safety, and fostering economic growth.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivered a pre-recorded speech to express his appreciation for the unwavering dedication of Hong Kong Customs in shaping Hong Kong into a world city and trade hub. He emphasised that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He expressed his confidence that Hong Kong Customs will continue to promote international co-operation and enhance Hong Kong's roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between the Mainland and the world.

In his speech, Mr Chan elaborated on the diverse responsibilities of Hong Kong Customs in streamlining clearance procedures, facilitating trade and ensuring the well-being and safety of society. He also highlighted the significance of Hong Kong Customs' role as the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific region of the WCO, underscoring Hong Kong's proactive and leading role in global customs affairs. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong Customs would continue to tell good stories of Hong Kong to a worldwide audience, and will remain committed to contributing to the overall development of the country and the Chinese modernisation process.

Hong Kong Customs became a member of the WCO in 1987, and ICD has become an annual event of Hong Kong Customs ever since. At the celebration reception, Mr Pan presented WCO Certificates of Merit to Hong Kong Customs' officers and business stakeholders in recognition of their remarkable contributions to various customs affairs pertinent to the theme of ICD.

Over 300 guests, including officials of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, representatives of various offices of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong and Customs administrations of the Mainland and Macao, Consuls-General, foreign Customs attachés, as well as private stakeholders, attended the reception.

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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