大象传媒

Hong Kong

Things have calmed down a bit here now - storm Kummuri is now apparently described as a category 3 and this buzzing city is alive again.

It's still raining cats and dogs though!

Everyone has coped very well with the disruption, but the weather has taken it's toll on the equine contingent.

For instance, 24 show-jumping horses are currently stranded in Amsterdam and Dubai including the American team, unable to make the final leg of their journey because of the poor landing conditions here.

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Those horses already in Hong Kong had to be kept in their stables most of the day and all the riders were ordered to stay at their hotel.

As the storm raged on Wednesday morning, I spoke to the British eventing team vet - Jenny Hall and although she said there were no problems at that time, she told me if things continued some of the horses may develop muscle cramping as they need regular exercise.

It's like a sprinter fit and ready for the 100m final who then finds himself locked inside the bathroom all day!

The weather did improve later on and eventually the riders were allowed into the venue to ride their horses.

I sneaked a peek at some of them exercising in the arena and they looked really well.

I also saw the New Zealand comeback king Mark Todd who' came out of retirement as part of a dinner party dare to make it to these Olympics.

Rumour has it he's spending more time in the gym than any other rider here and he
certainly looks good.

I then caught-up with the British team. It was great to see them all again. Mary King looked and sounded super cool as always.

She's flown out 'Team King' for the games including her 12 year old daughter Emily, who is following in Mum's footsteps as a seriously talented young rider.

I was interested to find out if the British riders felt the Olympic spirit was with them here in Hong Kong as obviously all the other athletes are in Beijing.

They all agreed it was and Daisy Dick told me that although she would have liked to rub shoulders with top sprinters and rowers in the gym she thought there was an "amazing buzz" here.

I agree with her. Hong Kong has really bought into the Olympic thing. There are hoardings everywhere announcing the city as the 2008 Games' other hosts.

The army of helpers with their colourful macs and wellies have permanent smiles on their rain soaked faces and of course you can't help bumping into world famous equestrian stars like the German dressage superstar Isobel Werth who was on my bus this afternoon.

I bet that's the first time she's had to catch a bus for a while!

On Thursday we're off to walk the cross country course. It's part of a media guided trip so I don't know if we are actually 'walking' the 5km. If so, I'd better pack my trainers!