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Cliff Buddle

The dramatic medal-winning feats of Hong Kong’s Olympians have given the city a golden week which will last long in the memory.
Their pursuit of glory gripped the community and the medals lifted the mood, rekindling faith in the sometimes elusive “Hong Kong spirit” of resilience, perseverance and belief.
But Olympic fever usually fades quickly when the flame is extinguished. The challenge is to seize the moment and build on that success.
The medals have been hailed as evidence of plucky little Hong Kong punching above its weight. The city should not, however, rest on its laurels. It can – and should – achieve more.
Hong Kong’s winners didn’t do it the easy way. Vivian Kong Man-wai bounced back from 7-1 down to secure victory in the épée final.
Fellow fencer Cheung Ka-long showed nerves of steel to grab gold and defend his title, having been on the verge of defeat at 14-12 in the foil.
Swimmer Siobhan Haughey also excelled, taking bronze in the 100m and 200m freestyle races, becoming the first to win medals in both events in separate Games.
These dedicated athletes deserve all the tributes they have received. Their success is a landmark for Hong Kong, even though it has won two medals less than the record six secured in Tokyo in 2021.
This is the first time the city has seen its athletes on the podium in two successive Summer Games. Before Tokyo, the only gold was windsurfer Lee Lai-shan’s in Atlanta in 1996. Progress has been made.
But this should be a launch pad. Hong Kong’s six medals in Tokyo placed it only 30th in the league table for total medals per capita. The city was 63rd for weighted medals (three points for gold, two for silver, one for bronze) when GDP is taken into account, according to medalspercapita.com.
Hong Kong has much potential for sporting excellence. The sense it is overachieving in Paris has more to do with the paucity of medals in the past.
This does not, in any way, detract from the extraordinary achievements of Hong Kong’s medal winners. But it does mean the city should be thinking big and taking the steps needed to ensure greater success in the future.
Government funding for elite athletes has increased over the years. In 2023/24 HK$863 million was invested.
The injection of funds to provide talented young athletes with all they need to succeed, from elite coaching, to sports science, and medical support is critical and must be stepped up.
Corporations have been quick to rally behind the medal winners and bask in their reflected glory. But sustained support is needed for the less glamorous role of nurturing the potential medal winners of the future.
Much better facilities are required and a review is needed of the way in which sports are selected for funding, to ensure the city broadens the disciplines in which it is capable of winning, without spreading resources too thinly.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu must deliver on his promise to create the right environment, so more athletes can flourish.
Most of all, Hong Kong needs to develop a thriving sports culture in which athletic excellence is equated with academic achievements or the pursuit of more traditional careers. The opportunities and the encouragement – from parents, teachers and coaches – must be there at an early age.
Fencer Kong has shown it is possible to excel at sport and with studies simultaneously. But not all talented athletes are capable of winning battles on two fronts.
Kong, admirably, is planning to set up a charity with part of her prize money, perhaps to help provide children with sporting opportunities. As she said, sport is important and much can be learned from both winning and losing. It is not just about medals.
Success at the Olympics should inspire a new generation of athletes. The best way to honour the achievements of Hong Kong’s medallists is to ensure there will be more to come in the future.


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Hong Kong society

Best way to honour our Olympic stars is to ensure there are more

Hong Kong swimming star Siobhan Haughey poses with her medals in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris on August 1, 2024. Photo: Xinhua 

Hong Kong fencing queen Vivian Kong’s academic paper sparks debate after Olympic success

Olympic champion Vivian Kong has studied at some of the world’s top universities. Photo: Xinhua

Vivian Kong’s thesis explored the large-scale protests that swept Hong Kong over the past decade, including the 2019 social unrest. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Celebrations planned for Hong Kong’s Olympic athletes at leader’s official residence

Fencer Cheung Ka-long returned to Hong Kong on Friday morning. Photo: Sam Tsang

Vivian Kong won the city’s first gold in Paris. Photo: Elson Li

Siobhan Haughey won two bronze medals in Paris. Photo: Reuters

Paris Olympics: Hong Kong rower Chiu vows to come back stronger, after historic finish

Chiu Hin-chun has finished higher than any other Hong Kong rower at an Olympics. Photo: AP

Chiu Hin-chun competes in the men’s single sculls rowing D final in Paris. Photo: AP

Hong Kong’s Cathay offers Olympic medallists a year of business class or 1 million air miles

Flag carrier Cathay Pacific announced the move in a social media post on Thursday night. Photo: Sam Tsang

Vivian Kong secured a stunning victory as she overturned a six-point deficit to defeat France’s Auriane Mallo-Breton in the women’s épée final. Photo: Facebook/Cathay Pacific

Fencer Cheung Ka-long arrived home on Friday. Facebook/Cathay Pacific

Paris Olympics: 100m champ Sjostrom tells Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey ‘go for 2028’

Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey at the Champions Park at Trocadero in Paris. Photo: AFP

Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden celebrates after winning gold in the women’s 100m freestyle. Photo: Reuters

Gold medallist Sarah Sjostrom (centre), flanked by silver medallist Torri Huske (left) and bronze medallist Siobhan Haughey. Photo: Reuters

Opinion

Sustained support such as targeted funding and better facilities is needed for the less glamorous role of nurturing future medal winners


Sustained support such as targeted funding and better facilities is needed for the less glamorous role of nurturing future medal winners.


Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Tokyo

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

My Take

My Take | Best way to honour our Olympic stars is to ensure there are more

Sustained support such as targeted funding and better facilities is needed for the less glamorous role of nurturing future medal winners