XN000022-1984-11-03 — Page 3

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1984

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THIS YEAR'S MEDAL-WINNING PROGRAMMES WERE AMONG 834 ENTRIES IN THE TELEVISION SECTION OF THE FESTIVAL, WHICH ATTRACTED A RECORD 4 866 ENTRIES FROM 45 COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

HOWEVER, MR WILKINSON SAID HIS TRIP TO NEW YORK WAS NOT JUST TO COLLECT THE MEDALS.

+IT'S A FIRST STAGE IN AN ATTEMPT TO BUILD ON THE GROWING REPUTATION WE HAVE FOR QUALITY PRODUCTS AND TO SEE WHETHER WE CAN MAKE THEM GENERATE INCOME FOR HONG KONG AT A TIME WHEN EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS, IT'S UP TO US TO SEE WHAT WE CAN WIN BACK FROM THE TAXPAYERS' INVESTMENT.+

+I'D LIKE TO COLLECT THE PRIZES NOW AND THE CHEQUE A MONTH LATER, HE SAID WITH A GRIN.

HANDICAPPED PEOPLE COMPETE IN SPORTS MEET

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THE 9TH HONG KONG SPECIAL OLYMPIC ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET WAS OPENED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY LADY YOUDE IN HER CAPACITY AS PATRON OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL OLYMPIC BOARD.

THE MEETING, WHICH WAS HELD AT WAN CHAI SPORTS GROUND, OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SOME 3 000 MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE TO COMPETE IN FIELD-AND-TRACK EVENTS IN THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS CONDUCTED IN A SIMILAR MANNER AS THE OLYMPIC GAMES. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ATHLETES PERFORMED A LIGHTING OF THE SPECIAL OLYMPIC FLAME AND ALL THE ATHLETES RECITED THE OLYMPIC OATH.

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A CELEBRITY RELAY WITH EACH TEAM COMPRISING DISC JOCKEYS OR TV ARTISTES, A PARENT OF PARTICIPATING ATHLETES, A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON AND A TEACHER WAS HELD.

PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS, MR SARGENT SHRIVER; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL OLYMPICS BOARD. MR DICKEN YUNG; AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG, MR A.DE O SALES.

THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE 1984 ASIA-PACIFIC DIRECTORS'

CONFERENCES AND TRAINING SCHOOL WERE ALSO PRESENT TO STUDY THE HONG KONG'S SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAMME.

THE ATHLETIC MEET WILL CONTINUE ON NOVEMBER 15 AND 16.

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