ENG-2012 — Page 407

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Recreation, Sport and the Arts

Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled 2012 was yet another rewarding year for the Paralympic Movement in Hong Kong. Not only did the Hong Kong athletes shine and excel in the London 2012 Paralympic Games but it also. marked the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong Paralympic and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled.

The 28 Hong Kong athletes who participated in the London 2012 Paralympic Games brought home three gold, three silver and six bronze medals. Hong Kong ranked 34th among the 164 participating countries and regions and was second in Asia after China in the athlete/medal ratio.

To maintain our competitive edge and to achieve further excellence, the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled is committed to nurturing more young disabled athletes and enhancing support to the coaching staff.

Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped

The Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped develops, promotes and organises sporting activities to help people with intellectual disability develop their potential and cultivate positive attitudes through sport, and to facilitate their integration into the community. The association has steadily developed a training programme over the years to cater for all levels of ability, and in 2012, 52,570 attended sports training and competitions organised by the association.

Athletes took part in many international competitions during the year and made the most of these events to sharpen their skills. Highlights included the 2012 British International Disability Swimming Championships in England at which Hong Kong won eight medals: two gold, three silver and three bronze; the 2012 Korea Veterans PTT Tournament in Korea at which Hong Kong won three medals: two gold and one silver; the 1st Tangeum's Lake Cup International Adaptive Rowing Competition in Korea at which Hong Kong won three medals: one gold and two bronze; the Offene Landesmeisterschaften-Sportverband NRW- Swimming in Germany at which Hong Kong won five medals: two gold, two silver and one bronze; the Slovakia Open 2012 in Slovakia at which Hong Kong won two medals: one gold and one bronze; the Czech Open 2012 Swimming Championships in the Czech Republic at which Hong Kong won three gold medals; the INAS European Athletics Championships 2012 in Sweden at which Hong Kong won five medals: one gold, one silver and three bronze; the 2012 Para-Swimming World Challenge in Canada at which Hong Kong won seven medals: one gold, five silver and one bronze; the London 2012 Paralympic Games (ID Events) in the United Kingdom at which Hong Kong won four medals: one gold, one silver and two bronze; the INAS 2012 Open European Table Tennis Championships in France at which Hong Kong won six medals: three gold, two silver and one bronze; and the Mike Dempsey Memorial Table Tennis Championships in the USA at which Hong Kong won two medals: one silver and one bronze.

Hong Kong athletes also achieved excellent results at the 2012 Special Olympics Macaul Bowling Competition in Macao, the 2012 SOEA Regional Skating Competition in Korea, the 2012 SOEA Regional Athletic Games in Macao and the 2012 SOEA Regional Summer Sports

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