Your Voice: Glory for Hong Kong in Paris, life after an Olympic medal, beauty of lacrosse

On July 28, Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai achieved a prolific milestone by winning the city’s third-ever Olympic gold medal. In the first quarter, she faced a deficit of 1-7 in the women’s épée fencing category against French fencer Auriane Mallo-Breton. While the match appeared one-sided, Kong displayed remarkable resilience and overcame the deficit. In an interview afterwards, Kong shared that being able to play in the Paris Olympics was one of her dreams and that she didn’t want to let down her supporters.

Kong’s journey in fencing began at the tender age of 11, a testament to her early dedication to the sport. Her numerous victories in various competitions, a reflection of her talent and passion, culminated in her becoming the world number one in 2019. The same year, the Hong Kong Sports Press Association honoured her as the Female Athlete of the Year, recognising her relentless pursuit of excellence.

Behind every athlete’s victory is gruelling training, fierce competition, unwavering dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Kong’s victory brought immense pride to all of Hong Kong and inspired many young girls to follow in her footsteps. Her stunning performance reflected the Hong Kong spirit, demonstrating resilience, perseverance, and determination. The world applauds Kong’s remarkable performance and looks forward to witnessing more historic moments from this exceptional athlete.

Hongkonger Vivian Kong wins gold at the Paris Olympics, boosts fencing school sign-ups

Heer Donda, King George V School

Despite their outstanding performances at the Olympics, even the most extraordinary athletes face difficulties after the Games end.

According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, about 24 per cent of Olympic athletes report that they face high or very high levels of psychological distress following their performance in the Games.

In 2021, Michael Phelps, a swimmer with 23 gold Olympic medals, shared that he saw Olympians “struggling from similar things that I’ve struggled from”, referring to the need for mental health support.

Simone Biles, an elite American gymnast, withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic finals and proudly stated, “We have to protect our mind and our body rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”

There are many reasons why athletes struggle with mental health. It can be challenging when competitors fail to live up to the expectations their coaches and millions of people across the globe have of them. With the Olympics happening once every four years, some athletes only get to participate once. They go through incomparable emotional struggles when their performance does not go as expected following years of intense training.

Since most athletes begin practising young, they grow up with their lives solely surrounding that specific sport. Hence, even when they reach the peak of their careers and succeed, athletes need help finding new directions.

“As Olympians, you set four years to build up to this moment. And then, after it’s over, you’re kind of lost in a way,” Phelps noted at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Following gruelling hours of training, athletes usually find themselves stuck; they are perplexed when deciding how to set new targets. This leads to poor mental health as athletes undergo a loss of identity.

However, people are working on solutions. For the 2024 Paris Olympics, the International Olympic Committee created an “Athlete365 Mind Zone.” The relaxation area provides athletes with sleeping pods and VR headsets for meditation and art-related activities. This has created a better environment for athletes and shows that their concerns are being heard.

Although not directly offered in the Olympics this year, therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), has helped many athletes cope with stress. CBT helps increase athletes’ awareness of their own feelings and reduces unhealthy thoughts through communication. Similarly, DBT focuses on learning how to accept yourself and current challenges and teaches skills like tolerating distress and regulating emotions.

According to a 2021 study by the National Collegiate Athletics Association in the US, fewer than half of college athletes feel comfortable seeking care for mental health on campus. This figure should urge the world to take more significant steps to address mental health problems. We should create a more comfortable environment for these exceptional athletes to compete, ensuring they have the resources to stay healthy in their personal and sporting lives.

The changing face of women’s gymnastics across the world

Ethan Lee Ka-man, Chinese International School

Last month, while riding on the MTR, I was delighted to see a poster from the Hong Kong Tourism Board promoting a lacrosse game. It excited me to see the recognition that the sport is finally getting.

Usually, when I carry my lacrosse gear around Hong Kong, people stare at my stick and do not know what to think.

I would get questions like, “Is that for catching butterflies?” or “Are you going fishing?”

I started playing lacrosse when I was five, and now I am the youngest player in the Hong Kong High Performance Training programme and the U20 Selection programme. During the summers, I train in the US with a club team, as it is challenging to find enough youth players to form competitive leagues in Hong Kong.

However, I believe this is all about to change because Hong Kong is gearing up to host the 2024 Women’s U20 World Lacrosse Championship. Spearheaded by the Hong Kong, China Lacrosse Association (HKLA), this international event will showcase top athletes worldwide.

I spoke to Warren Allderige, the HKLA chairman, who said, “It is a great honour that Hong Kong has been chosen as the host city for the event, as is the opportunity to host such a high-level lacrosse tournament for the first time.”

HKLA CEO Raymond Fong expressed, “We hope to see the local community and international fans support this major sports event and the growth of lacrosse in Hong Kong.”

Lacrosse is America’s oldest team sport, dating back to the 12th century. Lacrosse was given its current name after French missionaries witnessed Native Americans playing the game and thought the sticks resembled a bishop’s cross.

Often called the “fastest game on two feet”, it is action-packed, strategic in play and high-scoring, with many attempted goals. This makes it fun to play and exciting to watch. Lacrosse is a game in which speed, stick skills, and game IQ give you a big advantage. It is also easy and fun to learn at a young age.

I have been fortunate to share the love of lacrosse with my peers in Hong Kong, and together, we want to grow the game. This summer, I was fortunate enough to join a top club team in the US called Next Level and play with some of the top players in my age group. I experienced a true bond with the players I played with, which is why I hope to see more young Hongkongers on the field.

There are numerous local lacrosse leagues spreading across Hong Kong now. Learn more about how to join a youth lacrosse programme here.

Or better yet, come to watch the Women’s U20 World Lacrosse Championship from August 15 to 24 and cheer on your favourite team.