HK to issue commemorative medals to promote Olympic equestrian events

(Hong Kong, October 20) -- The 2008 Beijing Olympic Equestrian Events Hong Kong Fund will issue 5,000 official commemorative medals to raise $10 million to support activities relating to the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events.

The medal depicts an equestrian athlete and his steed leaping over the Victoria Harbor skyline.

"Both the medal's design and its packaging are exquisite. I would like to own one, too. It not only marks your support for the promotion of equestrian sports in Hong Kong but is also a perpetual treasure of China's pride," former Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung, now the fund's head of the Board of Governors told news.gov.hk in an exclusive interview.

The medal is made of gold-plated 925 silver. Designed by renowned local designer Alan Chan, the medal's reverse features the Hong Kong SAR emblem and a repeat pattern of 2008. Each medal includes a certificate of authenticity with a serial number, a crystal case and a wooden box decorated with horsehair.

The board has limited the initial issue to 5,000 medals, which will sell for $3,998 each. The board may consider issuing more editions if the response from the public is encouraging.

Through the selling of commemorative medals and the 100-day countdown fund-raising event, the target of raising $40 million can be fulfilled, Ms Leung said, adding the board has already raised over $16.9 million since it was set up last December.