OLYMPIC
GAMES 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing (CHN):
The
Beijing Organising Committee (BOCOG) made a presentation to the FEI General Assembly.
The delegation included representatives of BOCOG and the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
BOCOG admitted that they underestimated the veterinary issue of temporary import
of horses in China and presented analternative plan for hosting the equestrian
competitions in Hong Kong. A decision will be taken by the Executive Board
of the IOC on 19 April. The FEI General Assembly clearly stated its determination
to adhere to the original concept of being located in Beijing, together with the
other sports of the Olympic Programme. Editor's
Note: Remember the rumor printed in these pages last winter? - well, it looks
like being true! The following was in USA TODAY on April 12, 2004.
Games Equestrian Events Might Be Moved "Equestrian
events in the 2008 Olympics could be moved to Hong Kong, more than 1,240 miles
from the host city of Beijing. Organizers submitted the proposal to the International
Equestrian Federation (FEI),
citing
the risk of equine diseases and
problems with quarantine regulations in the Chinese capital. Hong Kong Olympic
chief Timothy Fok said Hong Kong was willing to host the event, the South
China Morning Post reported Tuesday. The issue will come up
before the International Olympic Committee executive board next week at a meeting
in Berlin." Editor's
Note: Once again the FEI appears
to be coming down on the wrong side of
a question. Of course the Equestrian
Games should be held
in Bejing, where there are a
handful of equestrian diseases in the area to choose from! Of course the FEI should
argue against Happy Valley Race Track, where race horses ship in and out regularly! The
rap on Hong Kong is that it is very humid in August. Maybe,
if they play their cards right, the FEI can get equestrian thrown out of the Olympics
all together! | 