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Danny Mok

Edith Lin

Beijing has congratulated Hong Kong’s Olympic athletes for living the “Lion Rock Spirit” with the team returning home after a historic performance in Paris.
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu on Sunday also joined the chorus of praises as he thanked Beijing for celebrating the local team’s success.
“You have been self-reliant, tenacious and enterprising, vividly interpreting the Lion Rock Spirit,” the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office told the city’s team.
The Lion Rock Spirit, which emerged during the 1970s, refers to the “can-do” attitude of Hong Kong people, specifically the generation of baby boomers when the economy was fast growing.
They also showed the spirit and demeanour of Hong Kong’s young generation and how it strived and chased dreams in the new era, while writing a new chapter for the city, the office noted.
“The motherland is proud of you. The office extends its heartfelt congratulations,” it said.

It also expressed hope that the athletes would continue upholding the Olympic spirit and Chinese sporting spirit, inspiring all Hongkongers with even better performances to focus efforts and strive for economic and developmental progress.
Team Hong Kong bagged two gold medals and two bronze ones at the Paris Games. The city’s gold medal haul was its highest on record.
In comparison, the city’s athletes came away with one gold, two silver and three bronze medals after the Tokyo Olympics.
Épéeist Vivian Kong Man-wai, 30, won a gold medal this year, while Cheung Ka-long, 27, made history by winning two back-to-back gold medals in fencing at the Paris and Tokyo Games.
Siobhan Haughey, 26, clinched bronze in the 100m freestyle final after finishing just 0.17 seconds behind winner Sarah Sjostrom, the world record-holder, who finished in 52.16.
Haughey also won another bronze in the 200m freestyle with a time of 1:54.55.
She also made history as the only swimmer to win 100m and 200m freestyle medals in two Olympic Games.
In 2021, Beijing also congratulated Hong Kong athletes on their Tokyo medal haul.

A spokesman for the office at the time said the athletes’ performance reflected how the younger generation pursued its dreams with positive values. He also added that their performance gave Hong Kong strong positive energy as it returned to stability.
The remarks refer to the impact of the 2019 anti-government protests, which prompted Beijing to impose the national security law on the city a year later.
City leader Lee on Sunday took to social media to thank Beijing for celebrating Team Hong Kong’s success, while expressing his “heartfelt congratulations” to the athletes on their historic achievements and his gratitude to all sectors for their strong support.
He said the athletes had shown extraordinary capabilities at the Paris Olympics and had achieved historic results.
“Every athlete has given their all and unleashed their full potential. Regardless of the results, all exhibited determination, perseverance and professionalism,” Lee said, adding he was deeply inspired.
The chief executive said that in the financial year 2024-25, the government’s annual funding for the Hong Kong Sports Institute amounted to HK$941.6 million (US$120.7 million), an increase of about 40 per cent from 2019-2020.
The estimated expenditure on sports development in 2024-25 would be around HK$7.9 billion, which was more than doubled compared with a decade ago, he added.
Lee highlighted the rise in government funding for sports in recent years and expressed confidence in Hong Kong athletes’ future success at major events.
He said several important sports events would take place shortly, including the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games in late August.
“I am confident that various sectors will continue to support Hong Kong athletes to shine in the competitions, demonstrating the indomitable spirit of Hong Kong,” Lee said.

Professor Patrick Lau Wing-chung, from Baptist University’s department of sport, physical education and health, urged national sports associations to step up efforts to find potential athletes to undergo elite training and make the selection process for those heading to international competitions more transparent.
The Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China should also improve its governance of such associations to minimise disputes, he added.
Lau also said the sports institute could invite more foreign coaches to the city to internationalise its training, as well as collaborate with more universities in the city on studies to boost athlete performance.
The expert also called on the city to continue to locate more elite sports, urging the government to purchase the broadcasting rights of the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles like this time.
“Broadcasting rights can cost over HK$100 million … If the media does not need to consider such a cost, it can spend a lot more effort on promotion and sports commentary to promote sports for all and elite sports,” Lau said.
He added that the government could also consider purchasing the broadcasting rights of the Winter Olympics if possible.


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Beijing congratulates Hong Kong Olympians for upholding ‘Lion Rock Spirit’ in Paris

Olympic gold medalist Cheung Ka-long holds his gold medal upon his return to Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang

Vivian Kong won a gold in Paris. Photo: Elson Li

Épéeist Vivian Kong celebrates after winning over Auriane Mallo-Breton of France. Photo: SF&OC

Siobhan Haughey shows her medals to the press after returning home. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong shopping centres enjoy boost in footfall with Olympic tie-in events, promos

Mall-goers watch Hong Kong table tennis athletes compete against South Korea during the Paris Games. Photo: May Tse

A crowd watches a broadcast of the Paris Games at APM shopping centre in Kwun Tong. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong’s Olympic success shows government investment, policies on right path: minister

Sports chief Kevin Yeung (left) welcomes Team Hong Kong at the airport, including Olympic gold medallist Vivian Kong. Photo: Elson Li

Swimmer Siobhan Haughey won two bronze medals at the Paris Games. Photo: Reuters

News

Hong Kong

Society

Siobhan Haughey, Vivian Kong and Cheung Ka-long ‘vividly interpreted Lion Rock spirit’ and showed how young generation works hard to pursue dreams, Beijing says


Siobhan Haughey, Vivian Kong and Cheung Ka-long ‘vividly interpreted Lion Rock spirit’ and showed how young generation works hard to pursue dreams, Beijing says.
