Jackie Chan traded his fighting fists for riding boots and a saddle to promote the Beijing Olympics' equestrian event, which will be held in his hometown Hong Kong.

 

 

Jackie Chan rides a horse in this photo taken on February 11, 2008, seen in his official blog, as he films a promotional video for the 2008 Olympic equestrian events. [jackiechan.com]

 

In the 30-second video, Chan urges audiences to visit Hong Kong to watch the event and introduces various local tourist sites, Mayee Tang, a spokeswoman for the Hong Kong Tourism Board, which is producing the video, said Wednesday.

 

Chan recorded the dialogue in both English and Mandarin Chinese, and the video was to be aired in Chinese mainland and foreign markets, Tang said.

 

Photos posted on Chan's official Web site show the action star sitting on a horse, resplendent in a black helmet, black suit jacket, white tie and black boots.

 

Chan's video, shot Monday, highlights efforts to promote one of the Olympics' more low-profile events.

 

 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, which controls horse racing in the former British colony, has spent about US$100 million (euro69 million) on upgrading existing venues and building new ones for the Olympic equestrian competition, which will take place August 9-August 20.

 

In other promotional efforts for the Beijing Olympics, Chan also recorded the event's official one-year countdown song, We Are Ready.

 

 

(Agencies via China Daily February 14, 2008)