An overwhelming majority, or 91.5 per cent, of young people in the SAR supported the Mainland's bid to host the Olympic Games, with most attributing their support to the fact that they were Chinese, according to a territory-wide survey conducted by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.  More than three-quarter of the young people polled, were confident that Beijing would be the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games.  Another 70 per cent admitted that their feelings of national pride would increase if the Mainland were awarded the Games.  80 per cent revealed that athletes from China would make them feel proud if they won any medals in the Games, a figure which outweighed those rooting for athletes from Hong Kong.  More than half of the respondents were interested in going to Beijing to watch the Games. 

 The telephone poll, conducted by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups from 6 to 9 July, successfully interviewed 542 young people aged between 15 and 29.  The survey found that close to 45 per cent of respondents admitted that their interests in sports would probably increase if Beijing was the host city.

 The largest portion of respondents were appreciative of the quality of sportsmanship in athletes, followed by their unflinching will.  A considerable percentage (85 per cent) had participated in sport activities, with aquatic sports being the most popular.  More than 40 per cent preferred diving and 30 per cent enjoyed swimming, both as events in the Olympics, as well as activities that they themselves participated in.  Most people named Lee Lai Shan as their favorite sports personality.

 Close to 90 per cent of respondents were able to correctly answer that the Olympic Games were held every four years, while slightly more than half knew that the Games originated in Greece.  Just around 30 per cent, however, knew the symbolic meaning of the five interlocking rings on the Olympic Flag, represented the five continents of the world.

 In response to these findings, the Federation said that the survey clearly showed that young people had high expectations on the Mainland's bid to host the Games.  As most young people had participated in sport activities, the Federation supported them to take part in more activities to promote a greater spirit of sportsmanship.  The Federation wished Beijing success on its bid.

 

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