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Hong Kong fury after local swim chief calls Haughey’s Olympic bronze ‘a regret’

  • Swimming Association chief Ronnie Wong has come under attack for comments made over results in 100m freestyle

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Siobhan Haughey (right) is all smiles as she shows off her bronze medal in the 200 metres freestyle at the Paris Olympics. Photo: AP

The chairman of Hong Kong’s swimming association, Ronnie Wong Man-chiu, is facing a huge backlash for calling Siobhan Haughey’s bronze in the 100-metre freestyle “a bit regretful”.

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Haughey’s second bronze of the Games took her overall Olympic medal haul to four – more than any Hong Kong athlete in history. But despite this, Wong suggested the result was a disappointment.

“I am happy we finished third, but of course I have regrets,” Wong said in a radio interview afterwards. “It’s a bit regretful she only ended up with bronze.”

The comments sparked fury among Hong Kong’s greatest-ever Olympian’s online following.

Ronnie Wong at Hong Kong’s Legco complex. Photo: Winson Wong
Ronnie Wong at Hong Kong’s Legco complex. Photo: Winson Wong

“You should join the match and see if you can rank third. Having you as the chairperson of Hong Kong China Swimming Association is truly unfortunate for Hongkongers,” one user commented.

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