Hong Kong’s leader will hold celebrations for the city’s Olympic athletes at his official residence after they return from the Paris Games, and has praised them for their “attitude and sportsmanship on the world stage”.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Friday that he would welcome the athletes to Government House.
“All the athletes from Hong Kong have displayed their extraordinary strength, showed their full potential and went all out,” Lee said.
“No matter what the result is, they have fully demonstrated their determination, perseverance and will, and have given full play to their professional attitude and sportsmanship on the world stage.”
He added: “Each of them is a hero in the hearts of Hong Kong people.”
Lee extended his congratulations again to medallists Cheung Ka-long, Vivian Kong Man-wai and Siobhan Haughey, who won two gold and two bronze medals between them in Paris.
Fencer Cheung, 27, made history this week by becoming the first man in 68 years to defend his Olympic foil title, while Kong, a 30-year-old épéeist, won the city’s first gold of the Games.
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Hong Kong’s 2-time Olympic gold medallist Cheung Ka-long returns home
Hong Kong’s 2-time Olympic gold medallist Cheung Ka-long returns home
The two fencers received rapturous welcomes when they arrived home in Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday, respectively, with fans calling them an inspiration.
Swimming superstar Haughey took home a bronze medal in the women’s 100m freestyle and another one in the 200m freestyle.
The 26-year-old has four Olympic medals after winning 100m and 200m freestyle silvers in Tokyo three years ago.
“The Hong Kong team has achieved unprecedented results in this year’s Paris Olympics so far, winning two gold medals and two bronze medals,” Lee said.
He said authorities would proceed as soon as possible in building a sports centre to provide fencing training and hold competitions, and also review the overall performance of the team in Paris to see if any improvements could be made.
Kai Tak Sports Park said on Friday that it would stage the first large-scale outdoor LED lighting exhibition on the exterior of its main stadium for two consecutive weekend nights from Saturday to cheer on the city’s Olympic athletes.
