'The Olympic spirit is catching and Hong Kong will be infected.' That's the prognosis from Princess Haya bint al-Hussein, the incoming president of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).
'There is nothing like the spirit of goodwill,' she says. 'You can say all these wonderful things about infrastructure and people and how it affects places, but in the end the individual human experience that the Olympics gives us is something Hong Kong will never forget. One city normally gets the games and this is a wonderful situation where we have two [and more] and that is special.'
When the 32-year-old princess speaks, people listen. She is the newly elected president of equestrian's governing body and a former Olympic athlete. 'I would love to see the people of Hong Kong embrace equestrianism as much as we are looking forward to going to Hong Kong. Riders from all over the world are dreaming of Hong Kong. For the people, the run-up to the games is just as important as the games itself and the energy it creates will provide a lasting legacy.'
Olympic events such as sailing are often held outside the host city, but Princess Haya is confident that, despite the distance from Beijing, the sport will receive the attention it deserves. 'Bocog in particular has expressed its commitment to ensure equestrian sports remain at the heart of the Olympic family in the run-up to and during the games,' says the princess, who is married to UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who operates the all-conquering Godolphin racing operation.
Equestrian sport in Asia is still developing and Princess Haya believes one of the benefits of the Olympics will be the further establishment of the three disciplines. 'China and Hong Kong couldn't hope for a better kick-start. The kick-start of the games will be that young people will be able to see riders at the very top level and that will be all they need to want to move up in the future. I hope that as a direct result of the FEI participation in Hong Kong we will see medals being awarded to Chinese riders at future Olympic Games [if not these].'
One of the legacies of the Olympics will be to leave Hong Kong and China with a depth of knowledge of managing equestrian competitions. The Chinese Equestrian Association is holding courses for stewards and there will be an education programme for volunteers who will play a pivotal role in making the games a success.
'Although the 'look and feel' of Beijing 2008 is important to see every-where, I find that the local volunteers always bring so much enthusiasm to the Olympic movement, and, in many cases, the atmosphere is created by them,' Princess Haya says.