Hong Kong badminton player calls for continued support for para-athletes as delegation returns from Paris Games
Hong Kong Free Press
A Hong Kong badminton player who won silver at the Paris Paralympics has asked the public to continue supporting the city’s para-athletes as the team returned home with a haul of eight medals.
“Some athletes who won medals deserve your applause, and others narrowly missed out on a place on the podium. I hope everyone will still keep an eye on them and their performance at the Asian Games in Nagoya and the next Paralympics in Los Angeles,” badminton player Daniel Chan told reporters in Chinese at the airport after the delegation touched down.
Chan earned a silver medal in a men’s singles badminton event, losing to Japan.
Chan also said that badminton had never been a mainstream event at the Paralympics until it was introduced at the Tokyo Games three years ago. “Only in recent years did we start getting more resources,” he said.
The veteran also said he would be stepping away from professional competitions after 16 years of representing Hong Kong internationally.
“I’m always asked if I’d consider coaching but I don’t think that’s a possibility, because there just isn’t another wheelchair badminton player,” he said. “But if someone does show up… I can promise that I’ll coach, even for free.”
Eight medals
Hong Kong athletes won eight medals at the Paris Paralympics, which ended on Sunday. They included three gold, four silver, and one bronze medal in badminton, swimming and boccia.
Chan Yui-lam, who won a silver medal in a 100-metre butterfly event with a personal best, said she would aim for gold next year. The second-time Paralympian swam at the Tokyo games as the delegation’s youngest athlete at 17.
“This medal goes out to everyone who’s been by my side,” Chan said.
Fourteen-year-old Jasmine Ng, who took the title of Hong Kong’s youngest para-medallist after winning bronze in a women’s 100-metre breaststroke event, thanked her family and coach for their support.
Hong Kong’s boccia players bagged three golds and two silvers, putting them at the top of the medal table. John Loung and Ho Yuen-kei took gold in separate individual events, while Annie Cheung placed second.
See also: Explainer: How much do Hong Kong’s athletes and para-athletes earn?
Three-time Paralympian Ho and Tse Tak-wah clinched gold with a final score of 5:3 in a mixed pairs match, while Cheung and teammate Leung Yuk-wing took silver in finals against Colombia.
The three gold, four silver, and one bronze placed Hong Kong’s athletes at 32nd place on the overall Paralympics medal table.
Chief Executive John Lee congratulated the athletes on their achievements on Sunday: “With unparalleled resilience and determination, every athlete overcame numerous obstacles and persevered through rigorous training to eventually step onto the Paralympic stage and shine brilliantly.”
Lee also said that the government “fully supports” sports development for people with disabilities. He said the city spent over HK$130 million in the current fiscal year “for the purpose,” a 40 per cent increase compared to five years ago.
“The members of the Hong Kong, China Delegation… included not only veteran athletes, but also rising stars participating in the Games for the first time. They demonstrated teamwork and supported each other on the field, showcasing exceptional skills and professionalism together, and achieving remarkable results time and again, a truly admirable feat,” he added.
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