Paris Olympics: sprinter Felix Diu aims for Hong Kong record after unexpected spot
- With no Hong Kong athlete having qualified, World Athletics gave the 24-year-old a ‘universality’ place set aside for less-represented nations
Hong Kong sprinter Felix Diu Chun-hei will compete at the Paris Olympic Games – even though he did not get there by the standard route.
With no Hong Kong athlete having attained direct qualification, World Athletics gave Diu one of the “universality” spots put aside for under-represented countries and which are designed to increase the diversity of nations in the Games’ various sports.
The 24-year-old received confirmation only one day before he attended the delegation’s flag presentation ceremony at Tamar in Admiralty last Tuesday.
“The Games probably flashed across my mind after I ran my personal best time at the national championships [in May],” he said. “I was perturbed during the wait because [whether I could qualify] was dependent on others.
“I am both excited and nervous but I’ll try to compete in a normal state of mind. I want to lower my best time; it would be great if I can get closer to, or have a crack at, the Hong Kong record.”
At 10.33 seconds, Diu’s best time is somewhat off the entry standard for Paris, by 0.28, and his time would have left him ahead of only 15 sprinters, out of 78, at the Tokyo Games.
