Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor speaks at the Welcome Banquet in honor of the Tokyo Olympic Games Mainland Olympians, Dec 3, 2021. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - The visit of the mainland Olympian delegation strengthens Hong Kong people's pride towards the nation, said Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Friday.

The Olympians attended a reception and banquet hosted by the HKSAR government on Friday evening.

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We will seize this opportunity to promote the development of sports in Hong Kong.

Carrie Lam, chief executive, HKSAR

Lam said in her welcome remarks that the visit strengthens Hong Kong people's pride and sense of belonging to the nation, while the outstanding achievements by the Olympians of the Chinese mainland and the HKSAR during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has increased the interest and enthusiasm of Hong Kong society to sports.

"We will seize this opportunity to promote the development of sports in Hong Kong," Lam added.

The delegation comprises 29 athletes and three coaches from 12 sports events, including sprint icon Su Bingtian, table tennis Grand Slam winner Ma Long, and Sun Yiwen, who won China's first Olympic gold medal in women's individual epee fencing.

The delegation will attend a variety of activities including performances, presentations and press meetings. They will also reach out to communities and schools to interact with Hong Kong youth.

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The visit, as the latest part of "The Spirit of the Times Shines upon Hong Kong" activity series, is organized by the HKSAR government, General Administration of Sport of China, and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR. It aims to further enhance exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.