Praise for Irish Hong Kong community

THE support of the Irish community in Hong Kong was a huge encouragement to their Special Olympics officials to fight the Sars ban which threatened their involvement in the World Games in the opinion of the senior officers of their delegation.

The Irish Government's threat to impose a quarantine stipulation caused the Hong Kong officials to reduce their team of athletes by half, down to 22, but yesterday they rejoiced in their participation.

Said Laura Ling, Vice Chair of Special Olympics Hong Kong: "The Irish society in Hong Kong call themselves the St. Patrick Association.