Olympics to make splash with Water Cube at TST
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You can pose for pictures in front of the iconic Water Cube, the venue for Olympic swimming events, without traveling to Beijing. The opportunity will present itself at an 18-meter replica of the Cube, which is the centerpiece of the HK$8 million Olympic piazza outside the Cultural Centre on Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. The brainchild of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Tourism Commission, the piazza is expected to draw 700,000 to 800,000 visitors from its opening next Friday up to August 24. A three-minute light show featuring a version of the Olympic theme song, We Are Ready, will be projected every 30 minutes from 8.30pm to 10pm. And Mason Hung Chung-hing, a senior manager for product development at the tourism board, said visitors may also get to hold an authentic Olympic torch. The curved wall of the Cultural Centre will be turned into a 22m projector screen for live broadcasts of the 2008 Beijing Olympic events. There will also be the world's largest plasma television screen - 103 inches - and eight 50in TV screens on which to watch live and delayed broadcasts. The tourism board hopes a medal presentation podium and three life- sized horse statues designed by local students will also be popular backdrops for photos. Parades including traditional Chinese dances will be staged every weekend. An Experience Hong Kong area will be set up to showcase a four-day itinerary covering the territory's 10 most popular tourist attractions. Board destination market
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ing general manager Gilly Wong Fung-han said the piazza is being included in tour itineraries. One-third of the 3,000 free admission tickets for each session will be reserved for tour agents. The other 2,000 will be available at the backstage entrance to the Cultural Centre's Grand Theatre an hour before each session.
