HAPPENINGS
HK Athletes Taking Up International Stage By Nicole Wu | Illustrations by Lea Cheng | Layout by Shuwen Wen
For
many generations, Hong Kong has been one of the leading international financial centers in the world, renowned for its extensive networks and trading opportunities. Unfortunately, its sporting community has not garnered much attention in recent years, and is typically viewed as a pastime more than a career. Famously quoted for “Hong Kong athletes are not rubbish”, windsurfer Lee Lai Shan brought home the firstever gold medal for Hong Kong at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Since then her success not only has gained Hong Kong the recognition it deserves in the sporting world, but also encouraged many youth in Hong Kong to participate in sports. Hong Kong athletes have worked hard competing in local, regional, and cross pacific sporting events, giving all that they have to represent their sport and their beloved city. Regrettably, the sports industry isn’t nearly as lucrative and promising as the commercial sector. At one point, discussions were made to dismantle Wanchai Sports Ground to make room for conventions and exhibition
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space. However, after 25 years, Hong Kong finally saw her second Olympic gold medal when Cheung Ka Long defeated his last opponent in men’s foil (fencing). In addition to the Gold medal, Hong Kong also received two silver and three bronze medals. Conclusively, Tokyo Olympics 2020 was a success for Hong Kong. After witnessing such positive results, the Hong Kong government pledged a $500M funding for sporting events and $32B to open Kai Tak Sports Park, and $6B in developing elite sports respectively. The excitement carried on with the Winter Olympics 2022 taking place just a year later and in the nation’s capital, Beijing, much closer in proximity to many in Hong Kong. Hong Kong was sending in a team of three, the largest ever, to t h e Winter Games. The team members include two men and one female: Sidney Chu, Adrian Yung, and CIS’ very own alumna, Audrey King,
Class of 2021. Interestingly, the first time Hong Kong had ever sent an athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics was in 2002 Salt Lake City. Ever since then, only one to two athletes had qualified for subsequent Games. Although the trio did not bring home any medals, their debut in the Games was already an achievement. Unlike athletes in other elite sports, winter sports athletes receive little funding and unfortunately have to rely on their own efforts to search for training ground and most importantly coaching. Xiao Hua is fortunate to have the opportunity to speak to Audrey about her journey to becoming our Olympian and shed more light on what her sport, ski racing, will look like in the future.
XIAO HUA 27/5/2022 7:23 AM
