Hong Kong has won approval to name a hiking route on Lantau the 'Olympic Trail' to mark the city's hosting of the equestrian events. The trail and Pak Mong Village at the start - renamed 'Olympic Green' - were officially opened by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen yesterday, after approval from the International Olympic Committee. Mr Tsang said five special trees representing the five Olympic rings were among 10,000 trees planted in March contributing to the Olympic Green. 'It also corresponded with the theme of a 'green Olympics' and helped promote the idea of green lifestyle to the public.' The 5.6km trail, with its highest point at Mong To Au at 227 metres, passes through old villages, with more than 10 signs denoting Olympic events marking the path. Cheung Chee-hung, 58, representative of Pak Mong Village, said the history of the village went back more than 400 years, but currently 10 elderly people lived there. 'We had been fighting for the name 'Olympic Trail' among 18 districts and got the title because of our historic monuments and well-protected country parks.' The watchtower, ancestral hall, enclosing wall and gatehouse of Pak Mong Village were declared monuments in 1999. 'Citizens here do not drink tap water but raw water. We try our best to safeguard the natural environment.' Mr Cheung said he was not worried about more people coming to the village. 'We can gain a good reputation and more people can learn about our indigenous village.' More than 1,000 students and parents walked the trail yesterday.
