Guangzhou likely to scrap equestrian events at 2010 Asian Games

BEIJING, Feb 15 (Reuters) Organisers are almost certain to drop equestrian events from the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou rather than use facilities in neighbouring Hong Kong, according to Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) vice president Timothy Fok Tsun-ting.

The equestrian events for next year's Beijing Olympics were switched to Hong Kong because of quarantine problems on the Chinese mainland and top class new facilities are under construction in the Special Administrative Region (SAR).

''As far as I know, equestrian sports will not be in for the next Asian Games because of quarantine problems,'' Fok, president of Hong Kong's Olympic Committee, told the South China Morning Post.

''All the medal sports for the 2010 Games will be decided in April when the OCA meets, but it is unlikely that the Guangzhou organisers will change their mind unless there is strong opposition from the OCA or its member countries.

''They have simply decided to drop the sport from the medal list.'' The equestrian events at last December's 15th Asian Games in Doha were marred by the death of South Korean Kim Hyung-chil, who was crushed to death by his horse in a heavy fall.

REUTERS SAM PM1011