My Journey to Hong Kong Begins

Feature Sotry and Photos by Diana DeRosa

Understanding These Games

That education began with an outline by Mark of the plan for the week before introducing our host, Brett Free, the Chief Information Officer of Overseas Public Relations. Brett guided us on the government’s role in the Olympic Games. The government clearly recognizes this as an opportunity to get the world to not only come for the Games but to visit Hong Kong.

While Brett’s goal is for us to get our answers from the experts in the various areas he noted, “We want you to see what we are doing and because of your expertise we want you to let us know how you think we are doing.

“Big events we do quite well. You will find the Hong Kong people are quite efficient. Hong Kong’s good name is on the line. People have a strong sense of commitment.”

It was Brett who encouraged us to get out and see Hong Kong. “Experience what Hong Kong has to offer.”

While Brett outlined some of the details of the Games, I will focus on those details separately as that alone has many intricacies to be outlined on how the setup is being done and so much more.

We next met with WK Lam and with each new person we were learning more of the details behind these Games. WK Lam is the Chief Executive Officer who heads up the Equestrian Company hired to oversee the equestrian aspects of the Games. WK Lam answers to Mrs. Carrie Lam, the Secretary for Home Affairs, a position he too held at one time.

We learned that Hong Kong’s planning period to organize the equestrian aspects of the Games was only about half of what a normal planning period would be. However, they feel they are on target with everything and “we have the full backing of the Hong Kong Government,” noted WK Lam.

He took the time to outline much of the plan of the Games, which are scheduled to take place August 9-20, 2008 with three additional days added (through the 24th) just in case typhoons or bad weather force them to have to cancel any of the events.