Feelings of 2008 Olympic Games by a Hong Konger

The Beijing Olympic Games started on 8/8/2008 and its opening ceremony was a quite fascinating extravaganza because harmony, the basic spirit of Chinese traditional culture and the achievements of Chinese civilization were performed systematically. But we are very sorry that there some sections were ‘created’ by illusion, including a song was sung by another singer and the ‘footstep fireworks’ display was produced by light projection.
The 2008 Olympics equestrian events have been held in Hong Kong, but most of the Hong Kong people concern about whether Hong Kong Olympic participants can obtain medals or not. Many people think that it is not likely for Hong Kong participants to win any prizes in this Game because Hong Kong athletes do not take a lot of sports training and the professionalism among them are uncommon. In fact, not many Hong Kong citizens aware the development of local sports and the future prospect of Hong Kong sportspeople. The public sectors only offer a few support to the athletes. For example, the training facilities are inadequate and the income of most athletes is barely enough for their subsistence. Worst still, there are not too much welfare, further studies or job opportunities for retired athletes. In addition, the existing education system is not conducive for sports development since it emphasize the actual studies and performance of examinations usually takes the highest place for further studies. Also, the period on sports education in the curricula is very short and the living spaces are crowded, compared to cities in Europe and North America. That inhibits the children to attend sport activities.
As a Hong Konger, it is rather a shame to send a few of athletes to the Olympics for such ‘Asia’s World City’ and a highly prosperous and ‘advanced’ region!

The original text was distributed on 3:49pm, 14 August, 2008