A senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official said on Tuesday that Hong Kong's legacy plan for equestrian event venues for the 2008 Games had deeply impressed him.

Hong Kong had formulated a plan in which temporary venues would be well used afterwards, Hein Verbruggen, the IOC’s coordination commission chairman, said after an IOC delegation paid their first visit to the special administrative region since it was confirmed last July that the horse events would be held there.

"I believe Hong Kong's training center for elite athletes will also get an upgrade after the Games," said Verbruggen.

"It's my first time here to see the equestrian venues for the 2008 Olympics. I'm very happy with what I saw. I think it's a good start," he said.

The delegation toured the Hong Kong Jockey Club's equine hospital and racing laboratory, as well as the Beas River Country Club and Hong Kong Golf Club, where the competition will be staged.

The delegation will report to the IOC and the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2005)