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Josh Ball

Vivian Kong Man-wai joined an elite group of the city’s athletes by channelling what she called the “Hong Kong spirit” in a performance of determination, perseverance and mental strength.
Kong’s gold in the women’s épée fencing was just the third ever claimed by the city at an Olympics, and ensured the delegation won a medal in successive Summer Games for the first time.
The landmark victory places her alongside 1996 gold medal-winning windsurfer Lee Lai-shan, and Cheung Ka-long, her fellow fencer who secured gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Her display was all the more remarkable for its unexpected nature. Trailing badly in front of a noisy home crowd and French President Emmanuel Macron, Kong recovered to win 13-12 in sudden death.

“I didn’t want to lose so badly,” Kong said when asked how she recovered from 7-1 down. “I didn’t want to give up without showing the Hong Kong spirit.”
The importance of the win to the city’s morale was no better highlighted than by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s decision to take a video call with Kong in the free moments he had before leaving on a six-day visit of Asean countries, where he will meet top officials to discuss more business opportunities.
Speaking from the VIP lounge at the city’s international airport, Lee told Hong Kong’s newest Olympic champion that its residents were “all very grateful” for her performance.
“She said that she wanted to fence with the Hong Kong spirit of not giving up, she will do it well and do it for us,” Lee said. “I am very touched and inspired because she really makes us very proud.
“Vivian, you have perfectly demonstrated the Hong Kong spirit of never giving up. You played beautifully. Hong Kong residents and I have witnessed and felt your sincerity.”
There were congratulations too from sports minister Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, who was in Paris to watch the “triumphant moment first hand” and the Jockey Club, which hailed her “can-do spirit” and confirmed it would be paying out the HK$6 million cash prize it had promised any athlete who returned with gold.
Kong’s performance resonated far beyond the city’s borders, with Chinese social media quick to praise her calm demeanour and resilience in the face of such high odds.
There was respect too for the other side of the soft-spoken 30-year-old, who graduated from Stanford University and holds a Juris Doctor law degree at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Her triumph at the Grand Palais, after defending champion Sun Yiwen fell early, was claimed as a victory for all of China, not just the special administrative region Kong represents.
“Congratulations to Hong Kong, this gold medal is also glory for the Chinese,” one Weibo user wrote.
“Our main account [Sun] got blocked, but it’s OK, we have our second account,” joked another.
For Hong Kong, though, victory represents more than the gold hanging around Kong’s neck.

Businesses that have suffered in a tough financial environment said they expected the Olympics to bring in a 15 per cent sales boost compared with the same time last year.
If the fans that flocked to some of the city’s shopping centres and entertainment districts are anything to go by, the feel-good factor brought on by Kong’s triumph will be boosted further should Cheung or swimmer Siobhan Haughey add medals of their own to the city’s tally.
Cheung King-yeung, 38, a marketing officer and father of two, said he spent HK$1,000 (US$128) more at Olympian City than on a normal Sunday because he wanted to enjoy the Games as part of a crowd.
“Even though the expenses exceed the usual amount, the Games happen only once every four years,” he said. “If everyone is willing to spend a little more, the Hong Kong market will thrive.”
Before the Games, the government paid for the broadcast rights and as well as making them free to air, and arranged for events to be broadcast at public locations in each of Hong Kong’s 18 districts.
Fiona Chung Sau-Lin of property firm Sun Hung Kai Real Estate (Sales and Leasing) Agency said it expected a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in footfall and a 15 per cent jump in sales over the 2½ weeks of competition.
On Monday, the city can turn its attention to another of its Olympic heroes, when Cheung, 27, defends his gold medal in the men’s foil. Three years ago in Tokyo, he kick-started the city’s historic run to six medals, and while that number may appear out of reach this time, there is every reason to hope Kong will not be returning home alone in her glory.
Cheung knows what it takes to win, and coach Greg Koenig dismissed suggestions from a US-based media group that his charge would not even make the podium.
Much like the city he represents, Cheung will not only be defying those who have already written him off, but the weight of history that says his chances of defending his title are slim at best.
Only two men’s foilists have successfully defended their Olympic titles. Italy’s Nedo Nadi in 1912 and 1920, and Frenchman Christian d’Oriola in Helsinki in 1952 and Melbourne four years later.

Haughey, too, should be preparing for her first medal race in Paris. She cruised into the semi-finals of the 200 metres freestyle on Sunday, “without having to spend too much energy on swimming”.
That race took place overnight, with the final scheduled for the early hours of Tuesday. Haughey has spent years entirely focused on this moment, keeping her own counsel on most things, but she did briefly lift the lid on what carrying the Hong Kong flag at the opening ceremony meant to her.
“I don’t even have any words to describe it … we’re all just very proud to represent Hong Kong and represent our city,” she said, after finishing second in her heat.


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Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Paris Olympics: Vivian Kong’s historic gold sparks day of celebration in Hong Kong

Vivian Kong said she drew on the “Hong Kong spirit” to bring home her Olympic gold. Photo: SF&OC

Vivian Kong’s stunning triumph draws a crowd even at 4am at Olympian City in Tai Kok Tsui. Photo: Edmond So

Chief Executive John Lee speaks at Hong Kong airport on Sunday before his Asean trip. Photo: Edmond So

People watch Siobhan Haughey swim at the Olympic display outside Sogo in Causeway Bay. Photo: Edmond So

Vivian Kong’s Paris Olympic gold medal: John Lee and other reactions from Hong Kong

Vivian Kong is the pride of Hong Kong after winning the city’s first gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong fans in Tai Kok Tsui watch fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai (right) compete in the women’s individual épée final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong retailers hope to strike Olympic gold as Paris sports extravaganza boosts business

Fans gather at a big screen in the Olympian City shopping centre in Tai Kok Tsui to cheer on Vivian Kong as she fights her way to a fencing gold at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Edmond So

Residents watch the Games at the Olympian City shopping mall in Tai Kok Tsui. Photo: Elson Li

Paris Olympics day 2: Haughey into 200m final, USA basketball men win – as it happened

Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey swims in 200m freestyle qualifying at the Paris La Defense Arena. Photo: AFP

Vivian Kong’s free MTR travel for Paris Olympic gold, Deliveroo offers users discount

Vivian Kong (centre) celebrates her gold medal win on the podium with France’s silver medallist Auriane Mallo-Breton (left) and Hungary’s Eszter Muhari (right), who won bronze. Photo: Reuters

Vivian Kong counted on the support back home as she claimed Hong Kong’s first gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: Edmond So

Sport

Paris Olympics 2024

Fencing

Hong Kong

Chief Executive John Lee voices Hongkongers’ gratitude, while triumph helps bring the Games’ expected boost to the city’s economy


Chief Executive John Lee voices Hongkongers’ gratitude, while triumph helps bring the Games’ expected boost to the city’s economy.


Vivian Kong Man-wai (江旻憓)

Melbourne

The Chinese University of Hong Kong