John Lee lauds Hong Kong athletes at Paris Olympics after city makes history with 2 gold, 2 bronze medals
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong leader John Lee has lauded the historic performance of the city’s athletes at the Paris Olympics, as the 33rd edition of the Games came to an end.
“Hong Kong athletes have demonstrated their extraordinary capability at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and achieved historic results by capturing two gold medals and two bronze medals in four sports events,” Lee said in a statement issued late Sunday, ahead of the closing ceremony in the early hours on Monday.
“The people of Hong Kong and I are deeply inspired and moved. The people of Hong Kong are proud of the high level of performance shown by Hong Kong athletes, and each and every one of them is a hero in our hearts,” he said.
Fencers Vivian Kong and Edgar Cheung clinched gold for the city, with Kong winning the women’s individual epee on the first day of the major multi-sport competition and Cheung defending his title in the men’s individual foil event days later.
Swimmer Siobhan Haughey bagged two bronze medals in the women’s 100 metres and 200 metres freestyle events, making her Hong Kong’s most decorated Olympian with four medals to her name.
Haughey won two silvers at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics three years ago, and Cheung won gold – then a record medal count for the city.
Hong Kong finished 37th on the Paris Olympics medal table out of 91 medal-winning teams. The US topped the chart with 40 gold, 44 silver, 42 bronze, closely followed by China with 40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze.
Lee also praised “the dedication and meticulous training efforts of coaches and support teams,” as well as the Hong Kong Sports Institute, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and local sports associations for supporting athletes.
He added that the government would expedite a study into the construction of a fencing stadium and a swimming pool that could be used to host international competitions.
Taekwondo athlete Lo Wai-fung and cyclist Ceci Lee – both first time Olympians – were the flagbearers for Hong Kong at the closing ceremony, held at the Stade de France.
Hollywood actor Tom Cruise – in a surprise appearance – descended from the roof of the stadium to collect the Olympic flag from gymnast Simone Biles and Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, where the next Olympic Games will be held in 2028.
The 2024 Paralympics will be held in Paris from August 28 to September 8. Twenty-three Hong Kong athletes will be competing at eight sports including badminton, table tennis, and boccia.
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