China's Olympic heroes woo pre-election Hong Kong

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China dispatched its Olympic heroes to Hong Kong on Friday for a well-timed celebratory tour that could give pro-Beijing candidates a boost before crucial September legislative elections.

The visit may also help the territory's leader, Chief Executive Donald Tsang, buck sliding public opinion ratings after a series of policy gaffes.

The former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the guarantee of a high degree of autonomy, since when it city has maintained its free-wheeling business and social lifestyle.

But its politics has been largely defined along a political axis separating pro-Beijing or pro-business forces from an opposition democratic camp, seeking direct elections but weakened by scant resources and infighting.

In a repeat of 2004, when 50 Athens Summer Games champions descended on the financial centre before elections to the Legislative Council, or mini-parliament, 63 Olympians, including diver Guo Jingjing and gymnast Yang Wei, arrived in Hong Kong for three days of photo ops, Disneyland visits, banquets and sports demonstrations.

The athletes were welcomed to a big fanfare by cheering primary school children at the airport.

"The serendipity of the visit is quite good," said Michael DeGolyer, a politics analyst at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Democrats sailed to big wins in earlier polls backed by voters suspicious of Communist China but could face a sterner test on September 7 when Hong Kong votes for a new legislature.

For the pro-establishment parties, Tsang's falling ratings are a potential liability heading into the election and they have been trying to highlight links to Beijing instead.