The territory's National Olympic Committee is confident of retaining 'Hong Kong' in its official title after the handover to Chinese rule on July 1 next year. Ronnie Wong Man-chiu, deputy chef de mission of Hong Kong Olympic team said that in the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee's interpretation of the Basic Law, the territory need not march under 'China Hong Kong' in post-1997 sports event. He said that the various national associations of Hong Kong have voiced concern over the red tape they may encounter if they have to change their official names. However, he said it was unlikely that the matter will be brought up with Chinese Olympic officials at the Atlanta Games. 'I think we need to go to a higher level like the Hong Kong and Chinese governments and the post-1997 Government,' said Wong after the flag-raising ceremony for the Hong Kong team at the Atlanta Olympic Village. 'According to our interpretation of the Basic Law, we feel that only if it is necessary, we should change the name to 'China Hong Kong'. 'But we feel that there is no need. This does not apply only to sport but to other associations in Hong Kong as well.' Although Hong Kong's post-1997 sporting independence has been guaranteed by the International Olympic Committee and China, there are fears that a change of title could create problems. However, Wong did not touch on the possible ramifications of such a change, reiterating the ASF & OC's stance that change was not necessary. Also over the last two days, Hong Kong officially resigned from the Commonwealth Games Federation amid assertions that the territory, if it pushed the issue, could have stayed with the Games even after the handover. Meanwhile, only two athletes, swimmer Mark Kwok Kin-ming and diver Ng Sui, were present for the flag-raising ceremony, which was the last for Hong Kong at the Olympics under the British flag. Most of the Hong Kong squad were due to arrive early this morning (Hong Kong time) while other athletes, like windsurfer Lee Lai-shan, were unable to attend because of training commitments.
