Mascots unveiled for 2009 Games

Dony and Ami symbolise Hong Kong's best qualities

Dony and Ami, the mascots for the 2009 East Asian Games, were unveiled last Sunday. The competition will be the first international multi-sport event ever held in Hong Kong.

The mascots have been created by local designers David Leung and Mou Mo.

According to the designers, the pluming hair on the heads of Dony and Ami symbolises fire and their faces radiate the confidence of a lion.

Fire does not have a fixed form but it emits light and heat, which represents the flexibility of Hong Kong people. Leung and Mo believe that the lion is a symbol of strength and confidence, which, at the same time, conveys the determined and mutually beneficial spirit of Hong Kong society. This spirit, they say, is highlighted in a classic Cantonese song from the 1970s, Below the Lion Rock.

In addition, the firework patterns on the costumes exhibit the colours of the five Olympic rings. The pattern represents the cohesive force which brings people from around Asia to participate in sports.

As ambassadors, the mascots will welcome visitors and athletes to Hong Kong for the 2009 East Asian Games.

'The mascots that signify the 2009 East Asian Games will shoulder the responsibility as ambassadors for the Games,' said Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, chairman of the fifth East Asian Games Planning Committee.

'They will promote the event to representatives from participating regions and tourists from all over the world. At the same time, they will carry forward sportsmanship as well as culture and creativity.'

After the ceremony, the energetic Dony and Ami immediately carried out their first mission - boarding convertible cars with an elite group of Hong Kong athletes that included Rebecca Chiu Wing-yin, Fan Chun-yip, Rosanna Sze Hang-yu and Chan Yun-to.

They greeted the public in Tsim Sha Tsui before moving on to the Hong Kong Stadium to meet LA Galaxy's football superstar David Beckham. Beckham, along with the mascots, waved to the 14,000-strong crowd who had gathered to watch LA Galaxy's match against a South China invitation team last Sunday.

For more details, visit www. 2009eastasiangames.hk/mascot