Cheung Ka-long’s role in Paris Olympics ceremony a good omen in Hongkonger’s history bid
- The fencing champion also carried the flag at the opening of the Tokyo Games – and coach Greg Koenig hopes history will repeat itself
Fencing coach Greg Koenig said Cheung Ka-long being the city’s flag-bearer at Friday’s Olympic opening ceremony could be a good omen as the Hongkonger seeks to defend his title in Paris.
The reigning men’s foil champion carried Hong Kong’s Bauhinia flag alongside swimmer Siobhan Haughey and Koenig said he had only one query when his pupil approached him for permission.
“I only asked, ‘Do you want to do it’?” the Frenchman said. “Cheung replied he wanted to represent Hong Kong and would be proud to do so.
“To be happy and proud is very good for the mind [of an athlete], it gives a lot of dopamine and if he has a lot of dopamine, maybe he will be much stronger on the strip.”
One of the two flag-bearers for the city in Tokyo three years ago, world No 3 Cheung became the first athlete to land the role in back-to-back Summer Games.
“There was no need to discuss further if I felt that it would make him happy and stronger,” Koenig said. “I don’t need to overthink anything and make the decision.
