appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Mike Chan

Hong Kong distance runner Christy Yiu Kit-ching has been left with hefty medical bills after losing her elite athlete funding status for almost two months as a result of an administrative mix-up.
The former Olympian was told she could not be reimbursed for her expenses in April, incurred for the compulsory medical screening that allows an athlete to renew their contract at Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and costs up to HK$13,000.
Yiu was no longer contracted after March 31 because of an incomplete renewal, amid uncertainty over whether the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) had completed the paperwork required by HKSI early enough.
Usual practice is for the renewal process to begin around the end of the calendar year if an athlete has already secured the necessary results.
But Yiu’s was achieved at January’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, in which she clocked two hours, 41 minutes and nine seconds to finish as the fastest local women’s runner and 10th overall.

On Wednesday, Yiu posted on social media that she had texted HKAAA staff after the marathon regarding renewing her HKSI contract, but there was no response.
The Post contacted the HKAAA to ask when the documents required for Yiu’s renewal were submitted to HKSI. The association declined to discuss it.
Sources with knowledge of the development, however, told the Post that those documents were submitted only around mid-March, almost two months after Yiu achieved the marathon result. The Post invited the HKAAA to comment on this but the association again declined.
Yiu, who has twice run for Hong Kong in the World Championships, said she “paid no further attention” to the matter in the weeks after the marathon, focusing on training and competitions.
“The process should be automatic between the association and HKSI, but I was reminded by HKSI staff to submit my renewal form towards the end of March,” she said.
Yiu filed the form the next day and began the medical screening on March 26, just five days before her previous contract expired.
She was later referred for an MRI scan for a knee injury, which was performed at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Medical Centre on April 3, by which time she was not under contract.
“There were no slots [at CUHK] on March 27 and I wasn’t available because of personal commitments the next day,” Yiu said. “There were no services on the remaining days in March because of the public holidays.”
Yiu, the city’s record-holder over six distances, acknowledged she could have had the scan at any hospital or clinic in the city, but opted for the CUHK Medical Centre because of its “proximity to her home and HKSI”, and had not pursued other options.
Subsequent procedures followed, including PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection and an ultrasound examination, and were completed by April 20.
It is understood that medical reports were delivered on May 13, and Yiu – who was still able to access institute facilities in April despite being out of contract – had her elite athlete status restored on May 21. She was told medical bills dated between April 1 and May 20 would not be reimbursed.
HKSI declined to address the matter.


Hong Kong can provide its snowboarders with a route to success

Hong Kong sport ‘setting bar low’, enabling mediocrity with cash handouts, coach says

Hong Kong Olympian wants end to sport tragedy blame game, calls for heart screening boost

‘Age is not a limit’ for swimmer Haughey who is enjoying senior role in Hong Kong team

Hong Kong Sports Institute

Hong Kong Olympian Christy Yiu saddled with medical bills after athlete funding cut off

Hong Kong’s Christy Yiu was prevented from having medical bills reimbursed for several weeks. Photo: Xinhua

Christy Yiu is Hong Kong’s women’s marathon record holder with a time of 2:31:24. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong basketball players left with hefty medical bills, after city officials fail to buy enough insurance

Group photo of the Hong Kong men’s national basketball team before heading to Brisbane for training in June 2023.

Marco Leung Ka-hin broke his nose in Brisbane in July. Photo: FIBA

The Hong Kong men’s basketball team. Photo: FIBA

Hong Kong government powerless after basketball players given inadequate insurance on national duty

Marco Leung Ka-hin broke his nose in Brisbane in July. Photo: Fiba

The Hong Kong team on their way to Brisbane for training in June. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong basketball boss says he will pay players’ medical bills, after first calling for more taxpayer cash

Hong Kong Basketball Association chairman Norman Chan (left), alongside Hong Kong Bulls owner Tony Chin. Photo: Handout

Leung Shiu-wah is only listed as a reserve for Hong Kong ahead of the Asian Cup qualifiers. Photo: FIBA

Sport

Hong Kong

Other Sport

Distance runner told her expenses for compulsory medical screening could not be reimbursed after paperwork was not done in time


Distance runner told her expenses for compulsory medical screening could not be reimbursed after paperwork was not done in time.


Hong Kong Athletics Championships

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong Olympian Christy Yiu saddled with medical bills after athlete funding cut off

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Distance runner told her expenses for compulsory medical screening could not be reimbursed after paperwork was not done in time

Distance runner told her expenses for compulsory medical screening could not be reimbursed after paperwork was not done in time