Warm welcome: Paris Olympic national team's whirlwind visit to HK

The Paris Olympic national team delegation arrived in Hong Kong today (Aug. 29) to kick off a whirlwind three-day itinerary. 

Hong Kong citizens eagerly look forward to these sports stars' arrival, hoping to see them showcase their talents during the events. Some hotel guests are particularly excited about becoming "temporary neighbors" to the star athletes, hoping for a chance to see them up close.

Local businesses near the hotel where the national team is staying hope that the athletes will have time to explore the city, taste local cuisine, and buy souvenirs. Merchants near the performance venues are optimistic that the athletes' star power will attract crowds and boost business.

The delegation comprises 65 athletes from 16 sports and 8 coaches, featuring renowned figures such as Ma Long, the country's first "six-gold" table tennis champion, 17-year-old "three-gold" diving star Quan Hongchan, and Pan Zhanle, who broke the world record in the 100m freestyle.

During their three-day stay in Hong Kong, they will hold a media briefing this afternoon; tomorrow (Aug. 30), they will visit a sports academy, a fire and ambulance training academy, and a secondary school on Hong Kong Island, followed by the "Olympic Athletes Showcase" at the Elizabeth Stadium in the evening.

On the last day (Aug. 31), they will perform at both the Elizabeth Stadium and the Victoria Park swimming pool in the morning, attend a farewell banquet at noon, and then head to Macao via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Citizens & Tourists Welcome The Sports Stars

With the arrival of these sports stars, citizens are excitedly anticipating their visit. A reporter observed festive banners welcoming the Olympic athletes in Tsim Sha Tsui, along with digital advertisements.

Ms. Lee, who runs a souvenir shop on Canton Road, expressed hope that the influx of tourists and the athletes' visit will boost business by 10% to 20%. She also hopes the athletes will have time to explore the area, sample local snacks, and buy memorabilia. "If athletes come to my shop, I believe many merchants would want to give them gifts," she said.

A hotel guest at the Harbour Grand Kowloon is visiting Hong Kong with his family and is excited to be "temporary neighbors" with the athletes. He told the Ta Kung Pao, "We just arrived yesterday and saw many advertisements welcoming the national team. I hope to catch a glimpse of them coming and going." He mentioned that the views of Victoria Harbour are stunning and hopes the athletes enjoy the scenery during their stay.

Another hotel guest shared that many friends and relatives are excited about her stay at the Harbour Grand, asking if she could get autographs from the athletes. "I would be thrilled to see them, but I wouldn't want to disturb them," she said. She recommended that if the athletes have free time, they should definitely try the local cha chaan teng (tea restaurants), which are uniquely Hong Kong.

Businesses Hope to Boost Economic Activity During the Event

Small businesses near the Elizabeth Stadium are also excited about the athletes' visit, hoping to see a significant increase in foot traffic and sales during the showcase.

Ting, who runs a Singaporean restaurant on Tin Lok Lane, noted that there aren't many restaurants near the stadium and that foot traffic is usually low. He hopes the athletes' star effect will draw large crowds to the area, boosting the local economy.

Grace, an employee at a nearby Hong Kong-style snack shop, is optimistic about increased business, believing that everyone is excited about the Olympics and eager to see the athletes.

Hotels Ready to Welcome Guests

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.

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."

Highly Anticipated: Athletes to Interact with Discipline Services Tomorrow

The Paris Olympic National Team's visit to Hong Kong has sparked a wave of excitement, with citizens eager to catch a glimpse of the athletes.

The Security Bureau will live-stream the interaction between the national team athletes and the disciplined services and youth uniformed groups to provide more opportunities for the public to see their idols. Many citizens who couldn't purchase tickets for the Olympic Athletes Showcase hope for more channels to view the athletes' activities and genuine moments during their visit.

Ms. Lee, a citizen, noted, "The excitement around the national team's visit is incredible. The tickets for the showcase sold out instantly, and many of my friends and I didn't manage to get any. But now, aside from watching them on TV, we can also see athletes through various social media channels, which helps satisfy our desire to follow them. Of course, I want to see the handsome Ma Long and the adorable Quan Hongchan. If the live stream could focus more on them, that would be great!"

Itinerary for Today:

Noon: Arrive at Hong Kong International Airport at about 12 am

Afternoon: Media briefing at the InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong

Evening: Attend a government welcome reception at Government House

Night: Attend the welcome dinner hosted by the Hong Kong SAR Government at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai

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How happy we are to meet friends from afar! HK hotel's gears up for Chinese Olympians