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China Wants Equestrian Events in Hong Kong
Mon Apr 11,11:42 AM ET
AP
LONDON - Beijing organizers want to move equestrian events at the 2008 Olympics to Hong Kong — more than 1,240 miles from the host city.
The organizers submitted the proposal to the International Equestrian Federation, citing the risk of equine diseases and problems with quarantine regulations in the Chinese capital.
The international federation, known as FEI, opposes relocation. The issue will come up before the International Olympic Committee executive board in Berlin next week.
The Beijing committee said it had "underestimated the veterinary issue of temporary import of horses in China and presented an alternative plan for hosting the equestrian competitions in Hong Kong," the FEI said Sunday.
FEI vice president Freddie Serpieri said if there were a venue change the repercussions for the sport would be "very grave."
Wei Wang, secretary-general of the Beijing committee, told the FEI that moving the events was necessary because of "uncertainties of equine diseases and major difficulties in establishing a disease-free zone." Wei said 17 equine diseases are prevalent in Beijing and other mainland Chinese cities.
Hong Kong, which reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997, is a 3 1/2-hour flight from Beijing. The proposed venue for the Olympic equestrian competition is the Sha Tin racecourse and surrounding Penfold Park.
The equestrian events have been scheduled for the Beijing Country Equestrian Park in northern Beijing — 21 miles from the Olympic Village.
When Melbourne hosted the 1956 Olympics, equestrian events were held in Sweden because of quarantine restrictions in Australia.
The FEI also agreed at its London meeting to ask the IOC to reduce the number of Olympic dressage teams per nation to allow more countries to compete.
Mon Apr 11,11:42 AM ET
AP
LONDON - Beijing organizers want to move equestrian events at the 2008 Olympics to Hong Kong — more than 1,240 miles from the host city.
The organizers submitted the proposal to the International Equestrian Federation, citing the risk of equine diseases and problems with quarantine regulations in the Chinese capital.
The international federation, known as FEI, opposes relocation. The issue will come up before the International Olympic Committee executive board in Berlin next week.
The Beijing committee said it had "underestimated the veterinary issue of temporary import of horses in China and presented an alternative plan for hosting the equestrian competitions in Hong Kong," the FEI said Sunday.
FEI vice president Freddie Serpieri said if there were a venue change the repercussions for the sport would be "very grave."
Wei Wang, secretary-general of the Beijing committee, told the FEI that moving the events was necessary because of "uncertainties of equine diseases and major difficulties in establishing a disease-free zone." Wei said 17 equine diseases are prevalent in Beijing and other mainland Chinese cities.
Hong Kong, which reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997, is a 3 1/2-hour flight from Beijing. The proposed venue for the Olympic equestrian competition is the Sha Tin racecourse and surrounding Penfold Park.
The equestrian events have been scheduled for the Beijing Country Equestrian Park in northern Beijing — 21 miles from the Olympic Village.
When Melbourne hosted the 1956 Olympics, equestrian events were held in Sweden because of quarantine restrictions in Australia.
The FEI also agreed at its London meeting to ask the IOC to reduce the number of Olympic dressage teams per nation to allow more countries to compete.