Held once every four years, the East Asian Games (EAG) are organised as a major event in the Asian international sports arena to create more opportunities for greater sports and cultural exchanges in the East Asian region. The participating countries and regions include China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Hong Kong China, Japan, Korea, Macau China, Mongolia, Chinese Taipei and Guam. In November 2003, Hong Kong won the hosting right of the 5th EAG to be held in 2009, marking an important milestone in the history of sports development in Hong Kong.
The 2009 EAG, being the biggest one in the history of the Games, will be held from 5 to 13 December. Over 3000 elite athletes from nine countries and regions will compete for gold medals of 262 competition events under 22 sports in the Games. "Be the Legend" is the slogan of the 2009 EAG. The Organiser has held a series of promotional and educational activities with a view to encouraging people from various sectors of the community to be fully engaged in the EAG and support this mega sporting event.
To welcome the upcoming EAG in Hong Kong, and to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China, "The Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games 100-day Countdown cum Torch Relay" will be held on 29 August. It will serve as a prelude to the EAG, with the aim of encouraging the whole community to actively support Hong Kong in hosting this large-scale multi-sport international event. The torch symbolises the noble ideal of sportsmanship while the torch relay aptly signifies the spread of the indomitable spirit. Through the organisation of the torch relay, we can give members of the public their first taste of the strong sports atmosphere of the EAG.
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