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| 14 March 2008 | Hong Kong | | | Young Hong Kong Artists Earn Trips to Beijing in the Visa Olympics of the Imagination Competition | | |
Visa and the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China today made the Olympic dreams of two young Hong Kong artists come true when they were named winners of the Visa Olympics of the Imagination art competition. Ho Sze Wing, Charlotte, 14 years old, and Lau Tsun Ming, 11 years old, each collected a trip for two to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
The Visa Olympics of the Imagination (VOI) art contest challenged children aged 10 to 14 to create an original piece of art that represents their thoughts on how the Olympic Games can unite different cultures and captures the theme of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, “One World, One Dream”.
Over 4,000 entries were received from children from all over Hong Kong. Winners were selected on the basis of originality, imagination, artistic merit and how well their art captured the theme. The judging panel included celebrated local artists Kan Tai Keung and Yim Yee King (Ah Chong), along side independent members invited by the Organizing Committee.
Five second prize winners each received an art class sponsorship worth HK$5,000 and 100 short-listed entries were awarded Olympic souvenirs.
At the awards ceremony in the Main Concourse of Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, James Dixon, Country Manager, Hong Kong and Macau, Visa International and Pang Chung, Hon. Secretary General, Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China were joined by members of the Education Bureau, and the Home Affairs Department, who also supported the competition.
“We have been delighted to receive such an enthusiastic response to this competition from Hong Kong’s youngsters,” said Dixon. “Visa has been a partner of the Olympic Games since 1986 and is pleased to support the involvement of youth in the Olympic Movement around the world. It has been fantastic to run this competition in Hong Kong for the first time and to fulfill children’s dreams of participating in one of the world’s largest sports events.”
The VOI program was first run in 1994 with the aim of educating children about the goals, ideals and history of the Olympic Games while exercising their imagination and artistic vision. This year Hong Kong joined 17 other countries and territories across Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and the Caribbean in hosting the competition. Winners from each country will meet in Beijing during the Games where an overall VOI Grand Prize winner will be selected and win a special trip for two to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.
Pang Chung, Hon. Secretary General, Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, said, “Having reviewed all of the entries I have been very impressed by both the standard of work and the enthusiasm shown towards the Olympic Spirit. It has been a joy to take part in the Visa Olympics of the Imagination competition which, for such a long time, has proven to be a successful vehicle for the Olympic message of uniting people and cultures around the world through sport.”
The head of the judging panel, Yu Shu Tak, Manager – Assessment Development (Art & Music), Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, said, “While all of the artwork was very impressive, for me, the two winning entries most accurately represented the true spirit of the Olympics and the theme of the contest. Moreover, the works of the two winning entries also show an elegant atmosphere with artistic feel and vivid imagination. I think these two young talents will represent Hong Kong very well in Beijing and I wish them the best of luck for the next stage of the competition."
The shortlisted entries were exhibited in the Main Concourse of Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui after the ceremony and selected entries will be exhibited in 18 districts around Hong Kong under a collaborative project with the Home Affairs Department. The two first prize winning designs will be exhibited as flags in Beijing at various locations during the Olympic Games this summer.
Dixon added, “Our goal is to share these pieces of art with as many people as possible. The exhibit reinforces our belief in the talent and awareness of today’s children in not only the Olympic Movement, but also the world in which they live. Visa is proud to share the talent of our winners with Olympic visitors from around the world.”
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Note to Editors: Production quality images available on request.
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| | For further information please contact
Ketchum Hong KongCynthia Chan
Tel: +852 3141 8199
Email: cynthia.chan@knprhk.com
Thomas Kwan
Tel: +852 3141 8090
Email: thomas.kwan@knprhk.com
| | Appendix 1 – Composition of VOI Judging Panel
Head Adjudicator
| - Mr. Yu Shu Tak, Manager – Assessment Development (Art & Music), Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority
| Adjudicator
(in alphabetical order)
| - Mr. James Dixon, Country Manager, Hong Kong and Macau, Visa International
- Mr. Kan Tai Keung, Renowned Artist
- Prof. Leung Mee Lee, Hon. Deputy Secretary General of SF&OC
- Dr. Vanessa Li, Senior Curriculum Development Officer (Visual Arts), Education Bureau
- Dr. Wong So Lan, Lecturer (CAPE), Hong Kong Institute of Education
- Mr. Yim Yee King, Renowned Artist
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| | |  | | | |  | | |  | Name: Ho Sie Wing, Charlotte
Age: 14
District: Kowloon City
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| | | | | | |  | Name: Lau Tsun Ming
Age: 12
District: Sham Shui Po
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| | | | | | |  | Name: Chan Chun Yi
Age: 11
District: Sha Tin
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| | | | | | |  | Name: Lai Chun Lok
Age: 14
District: Kwun Tong
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| | | | | | |  | Name: Lau Fan Ho
Age: 14
District: Sha Tin
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| | | | | | |  | Name: Tong Ming Sun, Cyril
Age: 11
District: Yau Tsim Mong
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| | | | | | |  | Name: Tsui Wan Yan
Age: 14
District: North
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