Leung praises Olympic athletes

Athletes from the Hong Kong delegation to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games received commendations for their exemplary displays of sportsmanship and perseverance on Friday.

Speaking at a welcome home ceremony at Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the athletes’ can-do spirit had made the city proud.

Hong Kong fielded 38 athletes in nine Olympic sports events this year, including cycling, table tennis and swimming. Although the delegation failed to win a medal, Leung said their inspiring characters had already showed Hong Kong spirit at a highest-level sports competition in the world.

Sarah Lee Wai-sze, a bronze medal winner in London 2012, ranked seventh in women’s keirin at Rio. Her appear- ance at the ceremony received loud cheers from the crowd.

Lee said every athlete has to cope with adversity, but keeping positive and being ready for difficult challenges is the most important thing for her.

Lee added she felt upset after crashing out in the race. It was the encouragement and inspiration of Hong Kong people that made her regain her confidence.

Three-time Olympian Stephanie Au Hoi-shun competed in the women’s 4x100m medley relay in Rio. She said she was touched by the team spirit exuded from China’s national women’s volleyball team, which won the gold medal. “I competed in a part of the swimming relay at Rio. I understand very well how crucial team spirit is. Behind their victory in such a tough competition is support and cooperation among teammates.” Au said.

Leung said he was glad to see all the athletes back home beaming with confidence and energy, and hoped to engage more young people in sports through an overhaul of policy.

President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Timothy Fok Tsun-ting said Hong Kong will compete to be the host city of 2023 Summer Youth Olympics if the complex can be finished before 2022.

Fok added that Hong Kong’s Olympics delegation had benefited from experience and exchanges of talented people from the Chinese mainland.

ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY Athletes take a selfie with Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (center) at a welcome home reception on Friday for the members of the Hong Kong team who participated in the just ended Rio Olympic Games.