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While the London 2012 Olympic Games, one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, is ticking the clock to its opening in July, the world is eyeing keenly on the preparation of all the sports powerhouses for the Games and everything related to the Games. The Hong Kong Coaching Committee (HKCC) echoes the needs and organised the annual Hongkong Bank Foundation Elite Coaches Seminar themed "Preparation for Olympics" on 25 February at Regal Riverside Hotel.

Five professional sports science and management experts and coaches from the UK, Japan, Mainland China, and Hong Kong shared their invaluable experience gained from previous Olympics Games and their preparation for this summer with a record-breaking of 250 participants from Hong Kong and overseas. All the participating coaches found the sharing beneficial.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof Frank Fu, Chairman of the HKCC and Jiang Zhixue, General Director of Science and Education Department of General Administration of Sport of China.

Prof Fu said at the opening ceremony, "I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the All-China Sports Federation who works closely with the Hong Kong Coaching Committee in providing opportunities for Hong Kong coaches to gain international exposure. I would also like to thank the Hongkong Bank Foundation for their generous funding and support to the coach education development in Hong Kong over the years."

Jiang Zhixue highly praised the annual Elite Coaches Seminar and said, "The Seminar provides a good platform for exchanges on sport training and facilitates cooperation opportunities between coaches from Hong Kong and Mainland China. Through detailed presentations of professional coaches and experts, coaches from Hong Kong and Mainland China can share the latest training methodologies and techniques, and thus help improve their coaching standard."

Jiang Zhixue, also the first speaker of the seminar, discussed how the China Team applies the scientific and technological support for the London 2012 Olympics by the topic "Scientific Support to China National Team". Jiang detailed the setting up of information platform for the Diving Team, the management system on achieving gold medal for the Gymnastics Team, the impact of high temperature and humidity and the psychological impact of home field competitions, as well as injury prevention and control. He concluded that today's sports training is inseparable from the support of science and technology. Those who get the optimal scientific, technology and medical support are more likely to achieve breakthroughs on the skill levels.

With the theme of "Preparing the Athlete, the Team and the Nation for the Olympics: are the challenges the same?", Peter Keen, Director of Performance of UK Sport, shared his insights on the topic through his 'Olympics Journey' which started as early as the Seoul 1988 Olympics when he was 24, being one of the youngest Olympics officials of the UK Delegation. He considered the key to an Olympic gold medal rests on the mixture of a professional and scientific support system, as well as a sound talent identification programme and a balanced athlete's life.

Takahiro Waku, Senior Director for Information and International Relations, Japan Sports Agency, spoke on the topic "The Challenges of Japanese Elite Sport for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games". Waku elaborated what the Japanese support team did and plans to do to meet all these challenges. The work involves the identification of target sports under two streams: traditional medal potential and new developing potential sports and the setting up of the Team Japan Support Centre which offers a wider support base for Team Japan outside of the Athlete's Village.

With his extensive experience in nurturing many outstanding local cyclists, including World Track Cycling Champions Wong Kam-po and Kwok Ho-ting, Shen Jinkang, the Head Cycling Coach of the Hong Kong Sports Institute since 1994, shared his insight on "The Road to World Champion and Olympic Success". Shen believed that a holistic approach which comprises coaches, scientific experts in different disciplines and a sound and professional system is the key to success. He pointed out that while sound strategies could be based on scientific data, communication between coaches and athletes is equally important when realising these strategies.

Yao Zhengjie, Head Coach of the China National Swimming Team, discussed with the audience on "China Swimming Team's Preparation for the Olympic Games". Yao first reviewed the recent achievements of several Olympic medal hopefuls, then he pointed out how the development and improvement of the scientific approach and altitude training can benefit the athletes. Yao also emphasized the importance of striking a balance between team work and individualism in pursuing the Olympic medal dream.

The Elite Coaches Seminar is part of the Hong Kong Coach Education Programme (HKCEP). It is jointly organised by the HKCC and the All-China Sports Federation with the funding from the Hongkong Bank Foundation. The annual Seminar aims to provide a platform for overseas and Mainland China experts as well as local coaching professionals to exchange ideas in sports coaching. HKCEP has been funded by the HBF with a total commitment of more than HK$26 million since 1992. Throughout the years, over 70,000 coaches have benefited from the training and recognition programmes of the HKCEP.