The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will spend HK$17.8 million to promote the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the city.

Inspired by the promotion of the Olympic Games held in Sydney, Australia in 2000, the HKTB will hang the Olympic rings on the facade of the Hong Kong Museum of Art in Tsim Sha Tsui.

The 15x35 meter rings will be facing the Victoria Habour from May 1 until the end of this year.

The construction is to cost about HK$7.5 million and the HKTB expected it to finish by the end of this month.

Executive Director Anthony Lau expressed his hope for the Olympic rings to raise awareness of and promote the Olympics.

In addition, the piazza in front of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre will become an Olympic piazza for the public to access free from July 25 to August 24.

A large projection television at the piazza will broadcast Olympic programs at night.

There will be Olympic souvenirs for sale and exhibitions to promote Hong Kong as a tourist spot.

Around 10,000 visitors are expected daily.

The works on the Olympic piazza would cost about HK$8 million, with HK$3 million funded by sponsors.

The promotional campaign will spread to various port areas as well.

Four hundred thousand brochures will be distributed to tourists upon their arrival in Hong Kong. The brochures will provide information about the Beijing Olympic Games and the equestrian events to be held in the city in August.

The HKTB is considering other promotions such as having the Fuwa, the official mascots of the Beijing Olympic Games, to greet tourists and decorating tourist coaches with an Olympic theme.

Lau said the HKTB will hold a briefing with the tourism industry to explain safety and traffic arrangements during the equestrian events.

He expected 400 to 500 representatives to attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (HKEF) expressed deep regret about the rejection of four local jockeys to take part in the Olympic equestrian events by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

As the four jockeys do not hold a HKSAR passport, they do not have the right to represent the city at the events.

The HKEF said it was regretful that the jockeys did not get exempted. It had been confident that the IOC would understand the special situation that a lot of Hong Kong jockeys are in, the HKEF added.

The applications of five other jockeys, with three participating in jumping and two in dressage, are still pending approval.

The HKEF said disabled jockey Nelson Yip has been allowed to take part in the paralympic equestrian events to be held from September 7 to 11.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing said the IOC decision would not affect the city's determination to successfully host the equestrian events.

"The disqualifications are in accordance with the IOC rules," said Tsang.

(HK Edition 04/15/2008 page1)