Hong Kong, Oct 16, 2011 (AFP) -Hong Kong's iconic cross-harbor swim race made its return Sunday after a 33-year suspension forced by pollution and heavy traffic on the famous waterway.
The annual race, a tradition dating back to 1906 which in its heydey attracted hundreds of swimmers to the city's famed Victoria Harbor, was halted in 1978 as water quality deteriorated.
The event was revived this year due to popular demand, with organizers insisting that water quality has improved, allowing 1,000 participants to take part in the 1.8-kilometer race.
The participants dashed between Hong Kong island and the Kowloon peninsula on a bright autumn day, with the frontrunners completing the course in about 20 minutes.
"It's a meaningful event. It brings back a lot of memories for old Hong Kong people," said Ronnie Wong from the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association, a three-time champion of the race between 1967 and 1969.
"A lot of people have been asking me when we can hold the race again," he said, adding that the association had to turn down nearly 500 applications to limit the number of participants to 1,000.
Environmental groups had warned before the race that there were still high levels of harmful bacteria including E.coli in the famous port.
But Wong said that fluctuating water quality had improved in recent days in the eastern part of the harbor where the race is held, and that it was safe for the event to go ahead.
Wong said the association was considering opening the race to foreigners from next year, after drawing a big field of entries from swimmers young and old, plus a smattering of expatriates.
"Once we open the entry to international participants, this will become a tourist attraction," he said.
Pollution -- air quality in particular -- is a major issue in Hong Kong, and critics say that as well as posing a
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Miscellaneous at http://www.micellaneous-oddnews.blogspot.com, and Fun in Life at
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The annual race, a tradition dating back to 1906 which in its heydey attracted hundreds of swimmers to the city's famed Victoria Harbor, was halted in 1978 as water quality deteriorated.
The event was revived this year due to popular demand, with organizers insisting that water quality has improved, allowing 1,000 participants to take part in the 1.8-kilometer race.
The participants dashed between Hong Kong island and the Kowloon peninsula on a bright autumn day, with the frontrunners completing the course in about 20 minutes.
"It's a meaningful event. It brings back a lot of memories for old Hong Kong people," said Ronnie Wong from the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association, a three-time champion of the race between 1967 and 1969.
"A lot of people have been asking me when we can hold the race again," he said, adding that the association had to turn down nearly 500 applications to limit the number of participants to 1,000.
Environmental groups had warned before the race that there were still high levels of harmful bacteria including E.coli in the famous port.
But Wong said that fluctuating water quality had improved in recent days in the eastern part of the harbor where the race is held, and that it was safe for the event to go ahead.
Wong said the association was considering opening the race to foreigners from next year, after drawing a big field of entries from swimmers young and old, plus a smattering of expatriates.
"Once we open the entry to international participants, this will become a tourist attraction," he said.
Pollution -- air quality in particular -- is a major issue in Hong Kong, and critics say that as well as posing a
Please visit my other blogs Salt of Life at http://www.salt-romblonwriter.blogspot.com,
Miscellaneous at http://www.micellaneous-oddnews.blogspot.com, and Fun in Life at
http://www.salt-funstories.blogspot.com
The Travel Bureau
21st Century auto Insurance is available only in the United States
Message body
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