The
giant Human Rainbow formed by 11,273 members of The
Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) community
on 6 October 2002 has been officially recognized as
the world's largest by the Guinness Book of World
Records.
This
record-breaking Human Rainbow was formed by a myriad
of students, alumni, staff, friends and family of
PolyU who united together at the Hong Kong Stadium
in celebration of the University's 65th Anniversary.
Each participant wore a colored T-shirt and cap -
of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, or violet
– and arranged themselves around the stadium in the
appropriate order. The record was set in front of
Mr Tung Chee-hwa, Chief Executive of the HKSAR and
the University Chancellor.
According
to Prof. Poon Chung-kwong, PolyU President, the symbol
of rainbow was chosen to symbolize the University's
glorious history and its bright future. It also served
to boost the confidence of the Hong Kong people, encouraging
them to stay optimistic despite the present situation.
|
|
|
The
certificate issued to PolyU by the Guinness Book
of World Records. |
PolyU
President Prof. Poon Chung-kwong (centre), Deputy
President Mr Alexander Tzang (right) and Human
Rainbow oc Chairman Mr Lam Tai-fai holding the
certificate. |
The
previous world record was set five years ago in the
United States by a group of 6,444 people at the Transco
Tower Park, Houston, Texas, in November 1997.
The
Human Rainbow also raised about $2 million from the
participants for PolyU, the Children's Cancer Foundation
and The Hong Kong Society for the Aged.
This
record can be viewed on the Guinness World Records
web page at: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/index.asp?ID=53123. |