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Denise Tsang

Tom Shuai

Alice Kong

Hong Kong’s leader has hailed the spirit of fencer Cheung Ka-long who came from behind to strike Olympic gold in Paris, saying his persistence and efforts were a shining example for Hongkongers, as he and residents heaped praise on the athlete and bronze-medal winning swimmer Siobhan Haughey.
Cheung – who also won Hong Kong’s only gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – made history again on Tuesday morning (Hong Kong time) by bagging the city’s second fencing gold medal in Paris, defeating Italian Filippo Macchi 15-14 in a controversial bout.
“We have proved that even if Hong Kong is a very small place, we can still do many different things,” he said. “Believe in yourself and do not give up just because you are in a small place.”
Épéeist Vivian Kong Man-wai won Hong Kong’s first gold of this year’s Games on Sunday.
Swimmer Haughey’s bronze in the 200m freestyle took her tally of Olympic medals to three – the most achieved by any Hongkonger – including the two silvers she won at the 2020 Games.

City leader John Lee Ka-chiu, who is on an official trip in Cambodia, sent his congratulations to Cheung and his coach and described the athlete’s achievements as “a source of pride for the people of Hong Kong”.
Lee said he was “thrilled” by how Cheung “defeated his opponent with the last strike”.
“I believe everyone in Hong Kong is as happy as me”.
He said the 27-year-old’s victory showed “the strength of our Hong Kong athletes”.
Lee pledged to continue “attaching great importance to the training of athletes” and highlighted three aspects where the government would provide support.
“The first is excellent coaches, the second is good facilities and the third is a good environment so athletes can train wholeheartedly to their highest levels,” he said.
“The atmosphere for sports in Hong Kong is vital. I hope that through the Olympic Games, everyone will not only support the athletes but also become interested in sports.”

Lee later in the day personally congratulated Cheung in a brief online meeting.
“How you persistently caught up from behind [shows qualities of] a great role model. You have demonstrated to Hongkongers how to persist and strive hard,” he said.
Cheung replied that he gave his utmost effort.
“I was doing my best for every strike because my coach was very supportive and he encouraged me a lot, I shouldn’t give up easily,” he said.
One of Cheung’s coaches said the medallist was more mature than during his performance in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021.
“But I also felt anxious sometimes when watching his matches,” the coach said.
The city leader also praised Haughey and her coach, saying the city was proud of the 26-year-old’s performance.
“Siobhan showed superb skills and performed her best in the competition. She showcased her power and strength as an elite athlete and achieved an outstanding result again,” he said.
Lee subsequently posted photos on his social media account of him and other officials video-calling Cheung as they congratulated the fencer on his victory.
The city leader added that he did not have the chance to watch Cheung’s performance as he was in Laos and it was not broadcast live there and that he called fencer soon after he landed in Cambodia to applaud his “inspiring” spirit of perseverance.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and non-official members of the Executive Council also sent congratulatory messages.
“Cheung Ka-long stayed calm and determined during the match and displayed outstanding skill and perseverance,” Exco convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said.
Ip also praised Haughey, saying she had stood out among the finalists in the race.




But Cheung’s win prompted a complaint from Italy over the result, which was based on a video review that overruled the referee with the scores level at 14-14.
In response to the outcry from some Italian social media users, their Hong Kong counterparts jokingly responded with pictures of them eating pizza with pineapple, a dish commonly decried by the country.
Many Hongkongers watched the fencing and swimming competitions overnight with excitement, with some catching them at live-streaming events in shopping centres.
Hundreds flocked to the APM shopping centre in Kwun Tong.
Cheers filled the mall when Cheung made his decisive and winning hit, with Yao Chun-yun, 50, saying every Hongkonger should learn from the fencer.
“I am so happy to see Cheung win the gold medal,” he said. “I was on an emotional roller coaster in the final minutes”.
When Haughey took the bronze medal in her race, fans cheered and chanted her name. Australians Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus took gold and silver.
Chen Jinxi, 18, who went from Ma On Shan to the shopping centre to watch Haughey, said he was “satisfied” with the swimmer’s performance.
“I think her efforts and hard work paid off in the final, she even shortly took the lead in the final, what more can you ask for?” he said. “But, of course, I hope athletes can win more gold medals for Hong Kong.”
Student Marc Lee, 17, who lives on Hong Kong Island but travelled to APM to watch Cheung’s match, said: “I was very nervous, but I believed he would win.”
The parents of Haughey and Cheung were in Paris watching their children compete. Cheung said in interviews that he had hoped to win for his father.
“I’m very happy that my dad came to see me and I could give him a birthday present – his birthday is in July,” Cheung said after his victory. “I’ve just tried looking for my parents but couldn’t see them [in the crowd].”

Haughey said it was “very special” to become the first Hongkonger to win three Olympic medals.
She told the Post she had not set out counting the number of medals she would win, but simply aimed to do her best.
“We’re doing really well at these Games and this is just the beginning, as we have a long Olympics journey and I’m sure other Hong Kong athletes will do well too,” she said.
“A lot of us are in the finals or are among the top four fighting for medals. I hope we keep the momentum going.”
Additional reporting by Vivian Au and Ezra Cheung


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Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Hong Kong gold medallist Cheung Ka-long’s spirit makes him ‘great role model’: John Lee

Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka-long has won the city’s second gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Photo: AFP

City leader John Lee (seated, centre) speaks to Cheung Ka-long and one of his coaches. Photo: Facebook/John KC Lee

Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey takes bronze in the 200m freestyle. Photo: AFP

People in a Kwun Tong shopping centre cheer for Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long. Photo: Eugene Lee

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People play basketball in Hong Kong’s Southorn Playground. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Southorn Playground in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district has offered space for recreation amid the urban jungle for the past 90 years. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

A photograph taken around 1950 shows Southorn Playground nestled among rows of tenement houses in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai neighbourhood. Photo: Hong Kong Public Libraries

Many people pass through Southorn Playground every day, some on their way to work. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

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A man sits in the shade in Southorn Playground. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Basketball games among local Hong Kong residents are a common sight in Southorn Playground. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

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Cheung Ka-long offers his trademark tongue-out celebration after winning his Olympic semi-final at the Grand Palais in Paris. Photo: EPA-EFE

Cheung Ka-long takes a moment to savour his achievement after retaining his Olympic crown. Photo: EPA-EFE

Victory is assured as Cheung Ka-long (right) celebrates scoring the decisive point in Paris. Photo: EPA-EFE

Filippo Macchi of Italy (left) tries to attack Cheung Ka-long during Monday’s foil final. Photo: EPA-EFE

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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

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City leader also vows to boost support for athletes and describes their achievements as ‘source of pride for the people of Hong Kong’


City leader also vows to boost support for athletes and describes their achievements as ‘source of pride for the people of Hong Kong’.


Hong Kong gold medallist Cheung Ka-long’s spirit makes him ‘great role model’: John Lee

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}City leader also vows to boost support for athletes and describes their achievements as ‘source of pride for the people of Hong Kong’

City leader also vows to boost support for athletes and describes their achievements as ‘source of pride for the people of Hong Kong’