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Nazvi Careem

Hong Kong’s main Olympic medal hope Sarah Lee Wai-sze has finally arrived in Rio de Janeiro and her coach immediately cloaked her in a media blackout in order to maximise her gold prospects.
In echoes of Lee Lai-shan’s gold medal-winning preparations in Atlanta 20 years ago, cycling coach Shen Jinkang said sprinter Lee would not be speaking to the media in the lead-up to her keirin race at the weekend.
WATCH: Relive the action involving Hong Kong athletes on Day 2 at the Rio Olympics


“Coach Shen will not allow any press to approach Sarah before competition,” warned Hong Kong Sports Federation & Olympic Committee official Vivien Lau.
Such restrictions are usually only imposed when the coaching team is genuinely hopeful of a medal and Lee’s meticulous training has also involved acclimatising to Rio time before arriving in the Brazilian city.
WATCH: Sarah Lee is set to shine at the Olympics again



“Sarah is in good form and she adjusted herself to Rio time before she got on the flight,” said Shen. “That means she slept according to Rio time and was able to push herself in her first training session here.”
Lee, the bronze medallist from the 2012 London Olympics, has had two gym sessions and a light workout since arriving in Rio.
Her only media assignment from now until her race is a two-hour photo session on Wednesday but media will not be allowed to ask questions.
When San San won her gold in Savannah, there was a total media blackout and coach Rene Appel would occasionally give out updates via messenger. The Dutchman credited the blackout with helping Lee Lai-shan win Hong Kong’s first and only gold medal in Olympic history.
WATCH: Golden moments on Day 2 at Rio Olympics






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Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Media blackout for Hong Kong Olympic medal hope Sarah Lee

Gold-medal hope Sarah Lee will compete in the keirin at the Rio Games this weekend. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Sarah Lee Wai-sze (middle), Anna Meares (left) and Riki Belder at the women’s keirin prize presentation in International Track Series in Melbourne. SCMP Pictures (Handout)

Sport

Hong Kong

Coach Shen Jinkang imposes the restriction to maximise cycling star’s gold prospects at Rio Games
