Spectacular Launch for East Asian Games in Hong Kong

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 5^th East Asian Games (EAG) officially kicked off in Hong Kong today (December 5) with a dazzling 90-minute opening ceremony – including a magnificent fireworks display and special lighting effects which transformed world-renowned Victoria Harbour into a kaleidoscope of colour.

The Games are the biggest in EAG history, bringing together 2 300 elite athletes from nine countries or regions to compete for 262 gold medals in 22 sports. Among the athletes are Olympic gold medallists and world record holders from many sports.

Breaking with the tradition of holding such ceremonies in sports stadiums, the 2009 EAG opening took place on a floating stage in Victoria Harbour, and at the adjacent Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, with the city’s stunning skyline as backdrop. Hundreds of thousands of spectators shared the occasion on both sides of the harbour.

The ceremony was produced by the same company responsible for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics. Highlights included cultural performances, lighting of the EAG cauldron and a parade of beautifully adorned boats representing participating countries/regions.

Chinese State Councillor Madam Liu Yandong declared the Games open, with welcome speeches delivered by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Donald Tsang, and an EAG official.

The countries/regions taking part are China; DPR Korea; Japan; Korea; Macao, China; Mongolia; Chinese Taipei; Guam and Hong Kong, China.

The Games will close on December 13.

For EAG schedule and ticketing information, visit www.2009eastasiangames.hk

For results of the competition events, visit http://results.2009eastasiangames.hk

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