Hong Kong’s Asian Games swimming qualifiers closed off to fans, in fear of Covid-19 cases before September showcase
- This weekend’s Long Course Time Trial at Sports Institute in Fo Tan will see Siobhan Haughey in action but no spectators are allowed
- Institute looking to ‘minimise footprints’ to training centre to protect athletes – despite Hangzhou 2023 being five months away
Despite the government’s repeated pledges that Hong Kong has returned to normal, this weekend’s swimming event featuring Olympic hero Siobhan Haughey will take place behind closed doors because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Most of Hong Kong’s top swimmers including double Tokyo silver medallist Haughey, will compete at the two-day Festival of Sports Long Course Time Trial.
The event will provide an opportunity to qualify for next year’s Paris Games, and is the last shot for those wanting to represent Hong Kong at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
But not even the athletes’ family members, let alone fans or media, will be allowed to enter the venue at the Sports Institute’s Fo Tan complex.
A spokesman for the elite training centre said they wanted to protect their athletes from contracting Covid-19 heading into the Asian Games, which starts in September, as the regional showpiece remains the biggest target of the year.
“What we are trying to do is minimise footprints to the Institute so as to better protect the athletes from the pandemic ahead of the Asian Games,” he said.
