Officials of the Office of the Government Spokesperson at a press conference giving more details on the planned visit to Macao of gold medallists from the Chinese national team that was sent to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Gold medallists from the Chinese national team that competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will visit Macao for four days from 29 August to 1 September. The delegation will arrive in Macao on Monday afternoon (29 August), following an invitation from the Government. In the evening, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will meet with the athletes, prior to a welcoming banquet hosted by the Government. During their stay, the athletes will take part in different events to share their stories of success and the joy of winning gold medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Activities will include tours to Macao’s heritage sites part of the Historic Centre of Macao, which is included on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. On Tuesday morning (30 August), the athletes will share their experience of the Olympics with young locals. In the evening, the guests will attend a variety show at the Macao East Asia Games Dome. On Wednesday (31 August), the guests will visit a local community and then take part in another experience sharing session – this time with young Macao athletes and local students – at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. A total of 1,200 free tickets will be available for the variety show on 30 August and the exchange session with young people on 31 August. For more details, please refer to the website of the Sports Bureau. The exact number of athletes that will visit Macao is yet to be confirmed by the General Administration of Sport of China, said the Government Spokesperson, Mr Chan Chi Ping, during a press conference today. The Government expressed the hope that members of the Macao public would get the chance to see their favourite athletes during the visit. The delegation would include athletes from among the following events: diving; weightlifting; table tennis; race walking; badminton; taekwondo; archery; swimming; volleyball; and track cycling. The delegation will be led by the Minister of the General Administration of Sport of China, Mr Liu Peng; and the Vice Minister, Mr Gao Zhidan. The delegation will leave Macao on the morning of 1 September, bound for Beijing. China’s national team won a total of 70 medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games: 26 gold medals, 18 silver medals and 26 bronze medals. Collectively, the team set a total of five new world records and 12 new Olympic records in various disciplines.