Winter Olympics: Hong Kong can ‘take advantage’ of China’s winter sports boom, chef de mission Karl Kwok says

With Hong Kong’s first international-standard ice skating rink still in the works, Kwok targets more cross-border training and ‘snow sports tourism’
‘We have communicated with relevant ice and snow projects leaders to explore the possibility of future cooperation,’ says Kwok

Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

Andrew McNicol

Published: 5:36pm, 16 Feb 2022

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Hong Kong’s Beijing Winter Olympics chef de mission is confident the performances of his record-breaking athletes will improve integration with “our motherland” and “bring positive momentum” to local ice and snow sports projects.

Teasing a proposed ice rink to be built in Tai Po, Kark Kwok Chi-leung was proud of Hong Kong’s winter sports “breakthrough” as short-track speed skater Sidney Chu and Alpine skiers Adrian Yung Hau-tsuen and Audrey King wrapped up competitions this week.

But the trio had spent much of their Olympic-level preparations abroad as the city’s ice rinks remain limited and slopes non-existent – a perennial issue for its winter athletes. Add to that Hong Kong’s ever-changing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and there is a genuine fear for athlete stagnation.

Audrey King, of Hong Kong, in the women’s slalom event at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre. Photo: Reuters

From Hong Kong’s first-ever 2002 Winter Olympic entrants Christy Ren and Cordia Tsoi, to Beijing’s overnight sensation flag-bearer Chu, skaters have often crossed the border to access international-standard facilities and training.

“At these Beijing Games, you could personally feel the investment of the motherland in winter sports, especially support with venues, manpower, and so on,” said Kwok, who leading up to the event demanded the record three athlete, 10 staff delegation “perform our best athletically and morally”.

Hong Kong short-track speed skater Sidney Chu (left) with head coach Sun Dandan in training at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing. Photo: HKSF&OC

“Taking this opportunity, we have communicated with relevant ice and snow projects leaders to explore the possibility of future cooperation.

“In future, we can expect our teams will have more training opportunities in the mainland and communication with its athletes, as we strengthen cooperation between China and Hong Kong, and bring positive momentum to sports development and athlete performance.”

Kwok, highlighting the government’s plans to build a rink at Pak Shek Kok Sports Centre near The Education University of Hong Kong, also predicted a notable shift in “snow sports tourism” as the mainland basks in its winter sports facilities construction boom.

Hong Kong skater Sidney Chu (second from left) and Wu Dajing (centre) of China in the short-track speedskating men’s 500m heats event at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Photo: Reuters

Aspiring athletes also have new role models in freshly crowned Olympic champions Gao Tingyu, Eileen Gu Ailing and Su Yiming, while the likes of Hungarian Olympic gold medallist brothers Liu Shaoang and Liu Shaolin have spent years training in their father’s birthplace.

“It is understood that the government will build an ice-skating rink at the sports park that meets the requirements of international competitions,” he said.

“Skating projects, including short-track speedskating, will be more effectively developed in Hong Kong in the near future.

A plot of a residential land at the junction of Yau King Lane and Pok Yin Road in Pak Shek Kok in Tai Po. Photo: SCMP / Winson Wong

“At the same time, we can also take advantage of the Beijing Olympics to attract more Hong Kong citizens to go north, where it is easier to experience the fun of ice and snow sports.

“It is hoped that after the epidemic, there will be further development in mainland ice and snow sports tourism.”

With 22-year-old Chu, 19-year-old King and 17-year-old Yung leading a new wave of local winter talent, Kwok hopes Hong Kong continues to break delegation numbers and national sports records with each Olympic cycle.

Hong Kong skier Adrian Yung Hau-tsuen in a training session before the Beijing Winter Olympic Games men’s slalom at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre. Photo: HKSF&OC

“We had a total of three qualified for the Games, which is already a big breakthrough,” he said.

“They are also young and still have a lot of room for improvement. I believe competing in Beijing will have a positive impact on their future development.

“Aside from competition, the Olympic spirit is also focused on inclusivity. Our participation with many other countries and regions hopes to bring winter sports to local areas and contribute to the general development of sports.”