The Hong Kong government will set up sites offering live coverage of the Games in Victoria Park and Sha Tin Park to add to the Olympic atmosphere in the city. Olympic-themed activities will be staged on the central lawn of Victoria Park and the main plaza of Sha Tin Park from August 8 to 24. The venues can accommodate 3,000 and 2,000 people respectively. Seven activity zones will be set up at each venue, including a giant television screen to broadcast live coverage, an exhibition area introducing the Games and an entertainment area featuring books corners and games booths. Visitors can also send their wishes for the Games or to athletes at wish-making corners, and have their pictures taken with the Beijing Olympic mascots. The sites will also have a fitness corner for visitors to try their hand at aerobics, dancing, badminton, indoor rowing and rope skipping. Each person will be allowed up to four tickets for the venues. Tickets will be given away near the parks. As part of the security measures being taken during the Games period, all visitors' bags will be checked before they can enter the venues. 'We hope that citizens and tourists can come to have a big party here and share the Olympic spirit together,' said Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai, permanent secretary for home affairs. Hong Kong was accused of lacking an Olympic atmosphere compared to Beijing when a series of test events were held last August. Asked about the atmosphere in Hong Kong now, Mrs Yau said it was up to the public to make their own judgment. 'Hong Kong has its own way,' she said, adding that the community was working hard to promote events, with numerous activities in all 18 districts. Promotions for the Olympic equestrian events and the Games as a whole have been broadcast. Mrs Yau said the Beijing Olympic organising committee had approved Hong Kong's proposal to use 'Olympic Trail' as the name for a route from Pak Mong Village to Mui Wo on Lantau as part of the city's legacy from hosting the equestrian events.
