Macau is estimated to be spending MOP$12 million (HK$11.65 million) on the visit of Chinese Olympic athletes, about HK$4 million more than Hong Kong. These numbers were named by government officials in each city.
Chinese Olympic stars will visit Hong Kong this weekend, from Aug. 27 to 29. The delegation will be spending three days in the city followed by another four in the sister SAR.
While in Macau, monetary awards from members of the Macau community will be given to the athletes. The government will be presenting the awards on behalf of the community, though the awards are not included in the MOP$12 million budget estimate, according to broadcaster Teledifusão de Macau.
The Macanese government said they will give out around 6,000 tickets, hoping to increase patriotism through the events. The athletes will attend several activities, including a youth sports exchange.
Sporting demonstrations
This weekend in Hong Kong, the athletes will perform demonstrations of table tennis and badminton at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and diving at the Victoria Park swimming pool on Saturday. The sporting demonstrations will be followed by a variety show at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in the evening.
Internet sweetheart swimmer Fu Yuanhui will be part of the delegation, Chief Executive CY Leung confirmed. However, it is not known if she will be present at the events.
A total of 6,600 tickets will be put on sale for the three events, said Principal Assistant Secretary for Home Affairs Lai Chun-yee. The delegation will also meet with young athletes in Hong Kong. Tickets for the events were priced at HK$20, but they were found to be on sale for up to 58 times their face value online.
Around 40 police officers will accompany the mainland athletes in Hong Kong, in case residents “no longer feel the same way about them” amid fears localist groups may use the situation to further their cause, Ming Pao reported.
