Rising star, legend headline visitors

Stacy Shi

Diving teen sensation Quan Hongchan and six-time table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long headline a 65-strong national delegation that competed in Paris which will arrive today for a three-day visit.

Quan, 17, won the gold medal in the individual 10-meter platform event and, alongside teammate Chen Yuxi, also won gold in the 10m synchronized platform in Paris Olympics.

Ma, 35, was also the flag bearer in Paris.

The athletes will attend a press conference in the afternoon before being welcomed by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu at Government House.

They will also attend a welcome dinner tonight at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Olympians will attend activities in groups tomorrow, including visiting the Hong Kong Sports Institute in Sha Tin, a secondary school, and the Fire Services Academy for exchanges with local athletes and students, sources said.

They will visit The Peak and view Victoria Harbour before attending a gala show at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in the evening.

On Saturday, demonstrations in badminton, gymnastics, and table tennis will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, while diving and swimming events are set at Victoria Park Swimming Pool in Causeway Bay.

A total of 5,300 tickets for the three public events sold out early in the morning.

Security has been tightened at InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, where the Olympians will be staying.

Workers were seen repainting railings yesterday and preparations were being made for a welcome ceremony where hotel staff and police will be on hand to maintain order.

Hotel director Wong Ying-ho earlier said two floors with over 90 rooms have been reserved.

Some of the rooms have been adjusted to accommodate taller athletes.

Chen, a mainland tourist, said she had not known the athletes were coming but was "very happy" to hear that they would be staying in the same hotel. She hopes to see the athletes - especially Ma.

Wang, from Beijing, ended his four-day visit in Hong Kong yesterday and regretted missing the chance to meet them.

China tied the United States in the number of gold medals at 40 each, although the Americans topped the medals table with a 125 total against China's 91.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com