HK athletes' Olympic success praised

Hong Kong athletes' historic achievements and indomitable spirit at the Paris Olympics are expected to fuel enthusiasm for sports, propel the city's sports industry and inspire it to make greater contributions to the nation's high-quality development, representatives of various sectors said when congratulating the athletes.

At the Paris Games, which closed on Sunday, 35 Hong Kong athletes competed across 13 sports events. The Hong Kong team won two gold medals, the most ever, and two bronze medals, elevating the special administrative region to the 37th spot on the medal table, its highest ranking at any Olympics.

In fencing, Vivian Kong Man-wai won gold in the women's epee competition, and Edgar Cheung Ka-long successfully defended his men's individual foil title. Swimmer Siobhan Haughey won two bronze medals, in the women's 100m and 200m freestyle events.

In a congratulatory letter issued on Sunday, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council congratulated the Hong Kong athletes, saying that their performance exemplified the "Lion Rock spirit", showcasing Hong Kong youth's unwavering determination to achieve their dreams.

The office said it hopes that Hong Kong athletes can continue to embody the Olympic spirit, aiming for greater accomplishments to contribute to the revitalization of the Chinese nation.

The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said the Hong Kong athletes had brought honor not only to Hong Kong but also to the nation.

The liaison office said it hopes they will continue to foster sporting spirit and encourage residents to play a more active role in the advancement of the city and the nation.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also congratulated the Hong Kong team on its success, saying it had made the whole city proud.

"Each and every one of them is a hero in the hearts of Hong Kong residents," Lee said.

The achievements of athletes will inject fresh vigor into the development of sports in the city and foster an environment that encourages greater participation in sports, Lee said.

He said the government will enhance sports infrastructure by converting an existing sports venue into a dedicated facility for fencing training and competitions. It will also accelerate the development of other facilities for fencing and swimming.

Edgar Yang Joe-tsi, the honorary secretary-general of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, said the Hong Kong athletes' performance at the Paris Olympics was "world-class".

Stanley Cho Yu-kit, a 19-year-old university student, said Hong Kong's valiant efforts in this year's Olympics will leave a lasting impression and inspire younger athletes to realize their full potential.

"Each athlete demonstrated dedication and showcased their capabilities, boosting everyone's confidence," Cho said. "Looking ahead to the next Olympics, I hope that we can secure more gold medals."

Hong Kong resident Diana Chen, 54, said she was especially proud of Kong, who excelled not only in sports but also in academic study, serving as a positive role model for the youth of Hong Kong.

"She is so full of positive energy and always smiling, which gives me hope that our younger generations can also overcome hardship and have the stamina to overcome whatever challenges life throws at them," Chen said.

Brandon Lam contributed to this story.