Olympic heroes in Macao

China’s 63 gold medallists have arrived in Macao today for a three-day visit, less than a week after the closing of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The delegation, who earlier spent three days in Hong Kong, was led by the Director of State General Administration of Sports, Mr Liu Peng, and included coaches of the gold medalists. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On, and the Deputy Director of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao SAR, Mr Li Benjun, met the delegation at the ferry terminal. The sportsmen met the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, who congratulated them for their outstanding performances. Their result demonstrated the rising power of the nation and made Macao people proud, he said. The delegation then attended a welcome banquet, at which the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On, praised the outstanding organisation of the Games. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games had promoted the traditional spirits of the Chinese, realised China’s century-old dream for hosting the Games, and earned appreciation of nations worldwide, Mr Chui said. He also praised China’s athletes, who had broken various records and written a new chapter of history for the nation. Mr Chui thanked the support of the State General Administration of Sports for Macao’s sport, and the gold medallists for their visit. He said he wished for more exchanges between Macao’s sport sector and China’s athletes and sport personnel in the future. Head of the delegation and Director of State General Administration of Sports, Mr Liu Peng, said in a speech that Macao’s support to sport development in China had contributed to the organisation of Beijing Olympic and the achievement of China’s athletes at the games. The delegation is scheduled to meet hundreds of high school students for a talk tomorrow morning, followed by a visit to the Ruins of St. Paul. In the evening they will attend a performance at Macao East Asian Games Dome.