How happy we are to meet friends from afar! HK hotel's gears up for Chinese Olympians
The mainland Olympic delegation will visit Hong Kong for three days starting this Thursday (Aug. 29), comprising 65 athletes and 8 coaches from 16 sports. It is understood that the delegation will be staying at the InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, which has sponsored and hosted mainland Olympic athletes since 2004, marking the fifth time it has done so.
Preparation Started Earlier This Year to Ensure Athletes Experience Hong Kong's Warmth
In an exclusive interview, the hotel's director, Wong Ying-ho, and general manager, John Drummond, discussed the arrangements and security measures for hosting the delegation. They revealed that preparations began earlier this year to provide professional and enthusiastic service, ensuring the athletes' safety, comfort, and privacy, allowing them to fully experience the warmth of Hong Kong citizens and the charm of the "Pearl of the Orient."
Hotel staff previously hosted athletes from the 2008 Beijing Olympic National Team. Wong and Drummond expressed their excitement about hosting the mainland Olympic delegation, stating, "We are very pleased to have the opportunity to sponsor and host the mainland Olympic athletes for the fifth time. We have reserved two floors with enhanced security, totaling over 90 rooms. All staff members are very excited, with many voluntarily giving up their vacations. We have meticulously arranged every aspect of the Olympic athletes' dining, accommodation, and activities to ensure everything is flawless."
Special Measures to Ensure Athletes' Safety and Comfort
The hotel features over 500 luxurious guest rooms and suites, with two floors reserved for the mainland Olympic athletes, while other floors will continue to serve regular guests. Drummond emphasized that during the athletes' stay, the hotel will implement special safety and service measures to guarantee their safety, comfort, and privacy.
He explained that for safety, the hotel will conduct security checks on all incoming guests and items, with dedicated staff monitoring the athletes' floors. Other guests and non-staff members will not be allowed to enter. A restaurant on the first floor will be exclusively reserved for the delegation, offering a menu that includes Chinese and Western cuisine and dishes featuring local Hong Kong flavors. Regarding comfort, the hotel has thoroughly inspected and adjusted the rooms, equipping them with large beds to accommodate tall athletes.
Drummond acknowledged the enthusiasm of Hong Kong citizens for the mainland Olympic athletes and their desire for close interactions. In the past, during the athletes' stays, many citizens would gather outside the hotel, and some fans even booked rooms just to be near them. However, such "enthusiasm" could potentially disrupt the athletes' rest and privacy. To protect the athletes' privacy while considering the feelings of other guests, the hotel has devised an appropriate approach based on past experiences. "When the athletes enter and exit the hotel, we will arrange for staff to form a 'human chain' in the lobby to create a passage, minimizing unnecessary disturbances and maintaining order."
Five-time Sponsorship and Hosting: Sincerity is Key
The mainland Olympic delegation stayed at the InterContinental Hotel during their 2004, 2008, 2016, and 2021 visits.
Established in 1981 and located by the Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui, the hotel stands out among Hong Kong's five-star hotels, receiving recognition for its consistent sponsorship and hosting of the mainland Olympic delegation. Wong stated, "First and foremost, it is due to our sincerity and the hotel's excellent facilities and service."
Recalling the first visit of the mainland Olympic athletes in 2004, Wong, then a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended a meeting in Beijing when he heard the news. He proactively applied to sponsor their accommodation at the hotel. "The reception back then was very successful, receiving high praise from the mainland Olympic athletes and relevant parties. Thus, our hotel has been responsible for their accommodation for subsequent Olympic visits, including this one for the Paris Olympics."
Anticipating a Surge in Patriotism Among Hong Kong Citizens
Wong expressed his honor and excitement at interacting closely with the medal-winning mainland athletes. The athletes have fought hard on the Olympic stage, bringing glory to the nation, especially with impressive results in the upcoming Paris Olympics, achieving 40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze medals, totaling 91. The people of Hong Kong eagerly anticipate and warmly welcome the mainland Olympic athletes' visit. Wong stated, "I believe this will again create a wave in Hong Kong society, greatly inspiring patriotism among the people and continuing the Olympic spirit along with the trend of sports and fitness in daily life."
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