From what long seemed a distant and rather hazy vision emerges the discernible reality of thundering hooves and our own Hong Kong co-hosting the Equestrian Events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Much has indeed transpired since the July 8, 2005 announcement that Hong Kong would play host to these events, and the story is one of contrasting emotions: resistance and reinvention, apathy and excitement, pride and protest. As we now greet the 08/08/08 Opening Ceremonies with much anticipation, it is undeniable that Hong Kong is making history by playing a major part in what will no doubt be one of the most remarkable sporting events the world has witnessed to date.

On location in Hong Kong, there was resistance at first when the Hong Kong Sports Institute's athletes were forced to move their training base from Sha Tin to Wu Kwai Sha in order for the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) to expand the racecourse facilities to accommodate some 300 international athletes of the equine species. At the HKJC's Beas River Country Club (BRCC), members were miffed by the inconveniences they and their horses would endure during the building of various temporary stabling structures and arenas with special footing, security features, the construction of the Olympic cross-country course next door at the Hong Kong Golf Club, etc.

However, I have witnessed firsthand that this is also a story of reinvention. Those who were irritated at the outset have demonstrated extraordinary flexibility and many have in turn been rewarded. The transformation of the facilities at Sha Tin and BRCC has been nothing short of spectacular. I hope for the relocated athletes that they too will reap the benefits of updated facilities when all of this has come to pass.

Recognizing that, to date, these rewards are limited to a very small slice of Hong Kong's community (I for one must confess to having had the thrill of galloping one of my horses over some jumps in the impressive Olympic Stadium at Sha Tin one evening some weeks back to help with a test of the lighting on the Olympic “open water jump” for the show jumping), the challenge ahead is to ensure a meaningful and lasting legacy for Hong Kong. Having invested billions of dollars thus far along, what actions will the HKJC and the Government take to ensure a broader legacy for a broader slice of Hong Kong? A prerequisite before the I.O.C. grants any nation “host country” status – be that for the Games in their entirety or for a single event – is that the host must ensure a long-term legacy value in, e.g., social and/or economic terms for the community at large.

As for the conflicting sentiments of excitement and apathy, how many people actually know that Hong Kong will be represented by a team in the Olympic show jumping events? Now that's something to get excited about! Both Hong Kong and China will make use of their Wild Cards for the Equestrian Events (both with show jumping teams and China with individuals in eventing and dressage as well). Even with the eased entry requirements for Wild Card holders, this is an achievement to behold for two places that have never before been seen on the world-class equestrian scene.

Hong Kong peoples' apathy about these events is no surprise given that we are typically more familiar with major corporate deals than with major equestrian events, and are far more likely to take a punt on which horse makes it down the home stretch first. I still find people asking me about the coming “Olympic Horse Race” … if only one could place bets on the Equestrian Events! But it seems that apathy is finally giving way as a bit of Olympic fever hits Hong Kong. Writing this from a hotel room in Kuala Lumpur, I am pleased to see CNN reporting from Tsim Sha Tsui's “Fan Zone”, where Olympic mascots, life-sized plastic horses, wall-sized TV screens and a giant torch stand – unfazed by the heat – ready to welcome some 500,000 enthusiastic visitors.

And finally, a comment on pride and protest. We have all seen the TV coverage of the pro-Tibet activists who marred the international portion of the Olympic Torch Relay and caused much concern from Beijing to Lausanne and beyond. In equestrian circles, too, we have witnessed protest. The Swiss dressage team, for example, will not be taking part due to concerns about the stress of Hong Kong's heat and humidity on their horses. There was concern at the outset that others might follow suit, but the HKJC has proven most reassuring in promising perhaps the best medical and equine care facilities on the planet. As the saying goes, “you've got to be in it to win it”, and we all know that those who win the medals will go down in history while those who opt out will quickly be forgotten. Wayne Gretzky, the Canadian ice hockey legend sums it up with his saying: “100% of the shots you don't take don't go in”! 

In conclusion on a most positive note filled with enthusiasm and excitement for the events that will soon unfold before us, we Hong Kongers can all lay claim to the infectious sense of pride that now prevails on so many levels. In Beijing and across China these Games are seen as a long-awaited “coming out party”. China is long on pride and has good reason to be. A recent New York Times article provided an interesting bit of context in re-examining the 1984 Soviet Union-led boycott that was aimed at keeping 100 countries away from the Los Angeles Olympics. China boldly defied that boycott (and in the end only 14 countries stayed away from those Games), and in so doing transformed the 1984 Olympics while paving the way for the world to come to their capital 24 years later for this 29th Olympiad. This is, indeed, China's time in the sun.

Here in Sha Tin and Fanling, the world will soon be watching the top equestrian teams from across the globe giving their utmost for the ultimate glory of six gold medals to be awarded across the team and individual dressage, show jumping and eventing disciplines between 9 – 21 August.

And so, with the recent arrival of the first horses at the Sha Tin quarantine facility, that distant vision has suddenly given way – through the haze – to the clarity and excitement of Hong Kong welcoming the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat that will inevitably characterize the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events.

* This is personal view. RTHK is not responsible for the content of the article.