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| No.9 December, 2009 |
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EAG a new chapter in Hong Kong's sporting history |
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 The 5th East Asian Games (EAG) in Hong Kong came to an emotional close on December 13, with an enthusiastic crowd cheering the star-studded finale at a coliseum.
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mr Donald Tsang, declared the Games closed. This was followed by the handing over of the EAG flag to Mr Wang Xingguo, Mayor of Tianjin, China. Tianjin will host the 6th EAG in 2013. |
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Pop stars from the region - Korea's Chae Yeon, Japan's Kousuke Atari, Richie Jen from Chinese Taipei, China's Dadawa and Hong Kong's own Eason Chan - joined the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra to perform the EAG theme song at the closing ceremony after performers from Tianjin gave a taste of what is to come in 2013.
 Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing applauded the public for enthusiastically supporting the 2009 East Asian Games and making it a success.
He said games participants were happy with the event's arrangements and congratulated Hong Kong on hosting it successfully.
"It is not only an event organised by the Government, but an activity hosted by the whole city," he said, adding a host of public sectors contributed to the success.
Noting it was the first time Hong Kong has hosted an international multi-sports event, Mr Tsang said the games has helped the Government promote sports culture in the city, creating many legendary moments.
"One of the legendary moments is the Hong Kong men's soccer team, with the support from all Hong Kong people, beating its opponents to take the gold medal. Another is Hong Kong athletes achieving their best-ever result in the games, winning 110 medals including 26 gold," he said.
Hosting the opening ceremony on Victoria Harbour was also groundbreaking, he said, adding the Government did a lot of co-ordination work to realise the creative idea which won praise from participating delegations.
The moving chorus of the 5th EAG theme song "You Are The Legend" filled the coliseum. It was a fitting send-off for the elite athletes from nine countries and regions who set the biggest ever EAG alight since the Games' spectacular opening on December 5. Altogether 2 300 sportsmen and women competed in 22 sports in a spirit that combined friendship with sportsmanship. EAG records were shattered and new stars were born.
Sports fans are left with vivid memories of the gold medal winning performances of several world-class athletes. Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang and diver Guo Jingjing, Korean taekwondo expert Cha Dongmin and Japanese swimmer Ryo Tateishi were among the star athletes who won the loudest applause.
On the medals table, China finished top with 232, followed by Japan 190 and Korea 143. Host Hong Kong harvested 26 golds, 31 silver and 53 bronze, a record haul since its first participation in the EAG in 1993. Other participants in the EAG are DPR Korea; Macao, China; Mongolia; Chinese Taipei and Guam.
Hong Kong spent six years preparing for the EAG - the largest international multi-sport event ever held in the city, which only last year joined the ranks of Olympic co-host cities by staging the equestrian events of the Beijing Olympics. The annual Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and flagship marathon, squash, badminton, volleyball, tennis, golf, cricket and dragon boat racing events have all reinforced the city's position as a major centre for sport in Asia.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang joined State Councillor Liu Yandong and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge to officiate at the games' opening ceremony on December 5. Mr Tsang said Hong Kong was privileged to be the host of the Fifth East Asian Games, adding the city had opened a new chapter in its sporting history.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge applauded Hong Kong's work in holding the 2009 East Asian Games, particularly its "brilliant" opening ceremony.
"I have seen many opening ceremonies in my long Olympic life. This deserves a gold medal," Mr Rogge said of the event.
To review some of the most dramatic moments of the EAG, visit www.2009eastasiangames.hk. |
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