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Paul McNamara

Siobhan Haughey extended her Olympic medal tally to four, the most of any Hong Kong Olympian, with another bronze in Paris.
The Hongkonger’s third place in a fiercely competitive 100 metres freestyle final matched her result in Monday’s 200m, despite suggestions that the shorter distance offered a better chance of reaching the podium’s top step.
“It’s not gold, but I’m still happy with it,” Haughey said, before revealing that she would make a decision after the Games over whether to quit swimming.
Hong Kong’s leader John Lee Ka-chiu congratulated the 26-year-old on clinching the city’s fourth medal of these Olympics.
“Siobhan has maintained a high level of performance and remained fearless against the world’s best athletes throughout the competitions,” Lee said in a statement.

“She has now won two medals in a row, setting another brilliant result. All Hong Kong people and I are proud of her.”
A city record-extending fourth career Olympic medal follows her two silvers at the Tokyo Olympics three years. The question of whether there will be more to come will be considered after leaving Paris.
Haughey, who revealed she had worked closely with a sports psychologist before these Games to avoid freezing on the biggest stage, will be 30 years old when the next Olympics come around in Los Angeles.
The winner of Wednesday’s 100m final, Sarah Sjostrom, is 30 and competing in her fifth Games. But Haughey was unsure whether she would follow the Swede’s lead and continue competing.
“I haven’t decided [whether to continue or retire] yet,” Haughey, who will swim the 4x100m medley relay in the French capital, told the Post. “I think right now I’m still focused on the Paris Games, so we will decide afterwards, I guess.”
Haughey said linking up with coach Tom Rushton following the Olympics in 2021 led to “more intense” training, featuring increased pool time and distances covered.
“When you’re getting older, your body’s recovery is getting worse,” she said.


Haughey nevertheless insisted she still “really loves swimming, training and racing”.
To ensure those hours in the pool translated into quality Olympic performances in France, Haughey was scrupulous in her psychological preparation.
“In the past three years, mentally I’ve gone through a lot, so I knew if I wanted to perform my best at the Olympics, I’d have to make sure the mental side of things was really on point, maybe even more than the physical aspect,” she said.
“Walking out to such a big stadium, with all the crowd, you can panic, especially knowing it’s now or never.
“I knew it was a possibility I might have this [now or never] thought, so we did a lot of work to make sure I went into these Games as calm as possible. I had to trust my training and trust I’d put in the hard work.
“I also worked with a sports psychologist, so we have different strategies and plans: if this happens or that happens, how can I deal with it emotionally?

“I don’t think I’d have the success I have without all the mental preparation. I also have a really good support system. My family is here, but I also have amazing coaches and teammates. No matter what happens, they’ll always have my back.”
Rushton said his athlete delivered an “awesome swim” to clock 52.33 seconds and beat new 200m Olympic champion Mollie O’Callaghan to the final podium spot. World-record holder Sjostrom swam 52.16 to win, with Torrie Huske of the United States claiming silver in 52.29.
Ahead of the race, Haughey alleviated self-imposed pressure by “focusing more on my strategy than the performance aspect of the race”.


Expanding on that strategy, she said: “It was to stay a bit more in control for the first 50m, then really build the legs in the second 50m. I think I did a good job. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, and the last 10 metres would be very competitive. You just have to put your head down and see who touches the wall first.”
Haughey’s latest medal was hanging around her neck as she spoke. She does not, however, know the whereabouts of her silvers from three years ago.
“I actually don’t know where my Tokyo medals are, I think my parents kept them somewhere in our apartment,” Haughey said.
“Every time someone wants to borrow the medal for an exhibition or whatever, I always say yes because not everyone has the opportunity to see or even touch these Olympic medals. I want the public to see them, too, so maybe we can inspire them … to work hard or chase their dreams.
“I think I’ll be doing the same with these two medals as well, because I want as many people as possible to see them and to feel them and to touch them.”
Join our sports quiz this Friday to win flights, staycation packages, dining vouchers and much more. Learn more: sc.mp/sports-quiz


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Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Paris Olympics: Hong Kong queen Siobhan Haughey ‘still happy’ as she extends medal record

Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey receives her medal at the Paris La Defense Arena. Photo: AFP

Winner Sarah Sjostrom is 30, the same age Haughey will reach by the time of the next Olympics. Photo: Xinhua

Haughey spends more time in the pool than ever since working with coach Tom Rushton. Photo: Xinhua

Paris Olympics: Jason Ng fails to finish triathlon, doubts he can call himself an ‘Olympian’

Jason Ng’s wetsuit was torn about 200 metres into the swim leg. Photo: Mike Chan

Jason Ng said in the mixed zone it was “heartbreaking your Olympic race is over in two minutes”. Photo: Mike Chan

Jason Ng was slowed down considerably when his wetsuit was torn at the back during the swim leg. Photo: SF&OC

Jason Ng stopped at the 18.7km mark of the 40km bike leg, the second portion of the triathlon. Photo: SF&OC

Paris Olympics: Hongkonger Vivian Kong to take break before deciding on Games gold defence

Vivian Kong will “take a good break” before making a decision over her fencing future. Photo: SF&OC

Vivian Kong worked every day with coach Octavian Zidaru to prepare for her gold medal campaign. Photo: AP

A pre-Olympics injury problem alleviated the pressure on fencing champion Vivian Kong. Photo: Xinhua

Paris Olympics day 5: Siobhan Haughey takes bronze in 100m freestyle – as it happened

Gold medallist Sarah Sjostrom (centre), is flanked by silver medallist Torri Huske (left) and bronze medallist Siobhan Haughey after the women’s 100m freestyle final. Photo: Getty Images

Paris Olympics: Hong Kong athletes’ feats make case for better funding in future, say fans

Siobhan Haughey celebrates with fans following her 200m bronze swim at La Defense Arena. Photo: Reuters.

The shallow Paris pool is preventing swimmers from challenging record times. Photo: Reuters.

Sport

Paris Olympics 2024

Aquatics

Hong Kong

Swimmer denied gold but can console herself with fourth medal overall – more than any other Hong Kong Olympian


Swimmer denied gold but can console herself with fourth medal overall – more than any other Hong Kong Olympian.


Siobhan Haughey