Hong Kong faces a tight race
to complete venues in time to host equestrian events for the 2008 Olympics, the
incoming chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club was quoted as saying in a local
newspaper on Friday.
John Chan, who was elected chairman on Thursday, was reported by the South
China Morning Post as saying the territory faced a "race against time," to
finish building the facilities.
"Everything has gone to our timetable but it is a tight timetable
nevertheless and there is not a moment to be lost," Chan was quoted as saying.
However, Chan also said construction work on the Olympics equestrian
facilities, including converting a golf course into a cross-country venue, had
"proceeded very smoothly," according to the newspaper.
Beijing, which is hosting the 2008 Olympics, controversially decided to shift
the equestrian events to Hong Kong because Games organisers could not guarantee
a disease-free area for horses in the Chinese capital.
The facilities are expected to cost up to HK$800 million (US$103 million) to
construct.
