The fifth Guangzhou Asian Games Fun Run 28-10-2007

Macau, 28th October 2007: 300 children from Macau sprinted to the finish line at the Sai Van Lake as part of the fifth official Guangzhou Asian Games Fun Run.

Organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Macau Olympic Committee, children aged 11 to 14 representing 41 local schools were invited to participate in the event. Each entrant received a limited edition Guangzhou Asian Games Fun Run T-shirt and cap, as well as a certificate upon completion of the run.

The 2.5km run in Macau was part of a series of official Asian Games Fun Runs which are taking place throughout countries across Asia and the Middle East over the next three years to promote the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010.

Three groups took part at the fun run with boys aged 11 – 12 sprinted to the finish line in the first category; while runners in the second group were aged 13- 14 and the third group consisted of under-14 girls.

Dr. Chui Sai on, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macau SAR government announced the start of the run which was attended by Mrs. Rita Subowo, president of the Indonesian Olympic Committee and Mr. Eddie Laam, president of the Macau Olympic Committee and Mr. Manuel Silvério, Vice President, 2nd Asian Indoor Games, Macau

“We are delighted that our friends at the Macau Olympic Committee have worked with us so successfully to organize the Asian Games Fun Run here in Macau City”, said H.E. Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al-Sabah, President of the OCA.

“Sport empowers us all to achieve and brings a sense of unity across a breadth of race, ethnicity, religion and gender. The Asian Games Fun Run epitomizes this aim and will help strengthen the OCA objective of developing understanding and friendship throughout the continent.”

“Asian Games Fun Run is one of the very important initiatives which can carry forward the Olympic spirit and promote Asian Games among the youth. By participating in the Fun Run, the youth from Asia can experience the charm of the Olympics, build up their bodies and be motivated with the spirits of bravely facing challenges, being united and positive”. Mr. Liu Jiangnan, Deputy Secretary General of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee, said.