Congratulations and applause have poured in from Hong Kong leader and residents after city athletes Cheung Ka-long and Siobhan Haughey bagged gold and bronze medals at the Paris Olympics.
Cheung made history by earning the city’s second fencing gold medal on Monday night after épéeist Vivian Kong Man-wai’s victory over the weekend.
Cheung won his first gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the only Hong Kong athlete to have ever achieved that feat.
Swimming athlete Haughey’s bronze in the 200m freestyle took her tally of Olympic medals to three, more than any other Hongkonger.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who is leading a business mission in Laos, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to Cheung and his coach and described the athlete’s achievements as “source of pride for the people of Hong Kong.”
“Cheung Ka-long demonstrated his excellence, persevered and gave full play to his skills in the competitions,” he said.
He also praised Haughey and her coach, saying the city was proud of her performance.
“Siobhan demonstrated superb skills and performed at her best in the competition,” Lee said.
“She showcased her power and strength as an elite athlete and achieved an outstanding result again by capturing a bronze medal, after winning two silver medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.”
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and non-official members of the Executive Council also sent congratulatory messages.
“Cheung Ka-long stayed calm and determined during the match. With his outstanding skills, great perseverance and determination,” Executive Council convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said.
Ip also said Haughey kept up her efforts and stood out among the finalists in the race.
Many Hongkongers watched the fencing and swimming games overnight with stress and excitement, while others caught the live streaming at shopping centres.
Hundreds of people flocked to the APM shopping centre in Kwun Tong.
Cheers filled the mall when Cheung gave the decisive hit, with Yao chun-yun, 50, saying every Hongkonger should learn from the fencer.
“I am so happy to see Cheung win the gold medal even though I was on a roller coaster in the final minutes,” Yao added.
Fans also chanted and cheered when Haughey won.
Chen Jinxi, 18, who came from Ma On Shan to the mall to watch Haughey’s final, said he was “satisfied” with the swimmer’s performance.
“I think her efforts and hard work paid off in the final, she even shortly took the lead in the final, what more can you ask for?” Chen said. “But of course, I hope athletes can win more gold medals for Hong Kong.”
Student Marc Lee, 17, who lives on Hong Kong Island, but travelled to APM mall for the match, said: “I got very nervous, but I believed he would win.”
The parents of Haughey and Cheung were in Paris watching, with the latter saying in interviews that he hoped to win for his father.
“I’m very happy that my dad came to see me and I could give him a birthday present – his birthday is in July,” Cheung said. “I’ve just tried to look for [family] but I don’t think I can see them.”
Haughey said it was “very special” to become the first Hongkonger to own three Olympic medals.
Talking to the Post, Haughey insisted she never set out to “count the number of medals I have”, but was “just here to try my best”.
“Hong Kong is doing really well at these Olympics and this is just the beginning,” Haughey said. “We have a long Olympics journey and I am sure other Hong Kong athletes will do well.
“A lot of us are in top finals or around the top four fighting for medals. I hope we keep the momentum going.”
