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Four years ago, Mark Kwok Kin-ming watched the Barcelona Olympics on television, wondering what it would be like to be part of the world's greatest sporting spectacle.

Next week, at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Centre in Atlanta, he will find out.

The 19-year-old American-born student, whose father Michael is a Hong Kong Chinese, makes his Olympic debut for the territory in four swimming disciplines.

 'I'm still waiting for it to hit me,' said Kwok, whose first major appearance for Hong Kong was at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima.

 'It's the biggest sporting event in the world and I'm really proud and happy to be here.'  Kwok, competing in the 400 metres individual medley, 200 metres individual medley, 200 metres butterfly and 400 metres freestyle, has been preparing for the Games in the best way possible and in the company of American legend Janet Evans.

 He has been training at the University of Southern California under Evan's coach Mark Shubert.

 'It's been great training with Mark and Janet. They have been giving me a lot of encouragement,' said Kwok, one of the first Hong Kong athletes to move into the Olympic Village.

 'I've learned a lot of things. I've been preparing the same way the Americans have been doing it.

'I've been watching and doing what they do.

 'I'm basically going to go out there and give it 100 per cent and that's all you can ask for.

'If I do better than expected, then that's extra bonus.'  Kwok is one of three Hong Kong swimmers at the Games, along with Arthur Li and Snowie Pang.

 Li, who at 23 will be competing in his third Olympics, will be looking to post personal best times in the freestyle and butterfly sprint events.

 Pang will also be hoping to improve on her best times in the women's breaststroke events.



Kwok ready to take his place in the big league