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Tokyo Olympics: Hong Kong hurdler Vera Lui pins Games qualifying hopes on European events as deadline looms
- She has already been turned down by organisers of a Slovakia event but is still waiting for replies from Spain and Finland
- Lui easily wins the Series 3 100 metres hurdles at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on the hottest day of May in Hong Kong since records began in 1880s
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Hong Kong hurdler Vera Lui Lai-yiu is making a desperate bid to qualify for the Tokyo Games by pinning her hopes on Europe, with time running short as the deadline looms.
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Running in 36 degrees Celsius heat – Hong Kong’s hottest day in May on record – the 26-year-old cruised to victory in the women’s 100-metre hurdles in 13.73 seconds in the Athletics Series 3 at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on Sunday.
With the Covid-19 pandemic prematurely ending Lui’s season, she must now hope for an invitation from one of the European events to fulfil Olympic qualifying requirements.
“This is not our target, our target is in Europe if Lui wants to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics,” said her coach Tang Hon-sing. “We have plans for a number of overseas events and if she can be accepted to compete, she still has a chance.
“All we need is probably two strong results close to 13.30 seconds, which she came close to before in international meets.”
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