When the Olympic extravaganza begins tonight at the auspicious time of 8.08pm it will signal both a beginning and an ending - the beginning of the world's best festival of competitive sport and the ending of China's long wait for its moment in the world's spotlight. And Hong Kong is right up there on the main stage, playing its own vital role in the greatest show on Earth by hosting the equestrianism.
Whatever the unique content of tonight's opening ceremony, its spectacle and entertainment value cannot obscure the greater significance of the moment - the projection to the world of a modern China, a milestone marking the nation's emergence as a major global power.
If the 20th century was mostly a long slow march for Chinese sport, the early 21st has been the big leap forward. Making the country ready to host the 28 sports was never in doubt and the transformation of Beijing has produced stunning venues - 31 in all - either built from scratch or drastically refurbished, plus six more sites in the co-host cities.
But, essentially, the Games are about the sporting contests on the tracks and fields, and in the pools and arenas. That's where the great human dramas unfold; that's where legends are created.
We'll all be glued to our televisions to see the great battles and quests, including Liu Xiang's attempt to meet the expectations of 1.3 billion people as the reigning 110m hurdles champ; the contest between Asafa Powell, Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay for the 100m sprint crown; Michael Phelps' mission to win a record eight swimming golds; and China's bid to usurp the US as world sport's superpower.
And don't forget all the superstars on show - from Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in US basketball's 'Redeem Team' to Brazilian soccer's two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho, multiple grand-slam winning tennis legend Roger Federer and world number one, Rafael Nadal, plus the past two Tour de France champions, Carlos Sastre and Alberto Contador. All will set aside their millionaire lifestyles in pursuit of plated gold medallions.
Hong Kong rode in late to the party, being given the equestrian events in July 2005 because of difficulties in creating a disease-free zone for horses near Beijing - a reward to acknowledge how our excellence in horse racing makes us an equine capital. In those three years the Hong Kong Jockey Club has spent more than HK$1.2 billion on the two competition venues at Beas River and Sha Tin, including an 18,000-seat arena and luxurious, 'six-star' accommodation for the 220 visiting horses.
