Ten Mainland Olympians who participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Li Wenwen, Sun Yingsha, Deng Yawen, Li Yuehong, Xu Shixiao, Yang Jiayu, Luo Shifang, Xie Yu, Zhang Yufei, Sun Jiaqi – along with weightlifting coach Wang Guoxin, visited Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) today and interacted with about 100 students from HKMU and Hong Kong, as well as Hong Kong athletes.
HKMU Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung and President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing warmly welcomed the delegation on behalf of the University. They expressed their pride in the outstanding performance and achievements of both the national team and the Hong Kong, China team at the Olympic Games. They said the athletes served as excellent role models for young people in Hong Kong.
The event was co-hosted by the Hong Kong Olympic Fan Club under the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) and HKMU. Officiating at the ceremony were Chen Zhiyu and Gao Chao from the General Administration of Sport of China; Lin Zhan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; The Hon. Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, SF&OC Vice-President cum Hong Kong Olympic Fan Club Chairman; and Ir Dr Wong. Official from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council also attended the ceremony.
During the event, Mr Fok said, “Exchanges between the national team and the Hong Kong, China team have become more frequent in recent years in areas such as training and hosting games. With the 15th National Games set to be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao next year, we look forward to promoting more cooperation and exchanges in sports to raise the standard to a higher level.”
Addressing the ceremony, Ir Dr Wong said, “With Hong Kong's participation and co-hosting of the 15th National Games, as well as some of the competition events of the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games next year, HKMU will fully support and encourage colleagues and students to actively participate in related volunteer programmes, demonstrating the spirit of 'Let's volunteer for the National Games'.”
Ir Dr Wong also highlighted the commitment of HKMU teachers and students to promote a sports culture and to support Hong Kong athletes and the development of the sports sector through various initiatives. In response to the strong demand for talent for sports management and organising large-scale sports events in Hong Kong, in recent years, the University launched the Bachelor of Sports and Recreation Management with Honours programme, the largest undergraduate sports management programme in Hong Kong. The programme equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills in sports management and sports science to meet the industry's need for talent.
The visiting Olympians shared their training routines, resilience in overcoming challenges, and affection for the country with the students. They also interacted with HKMU students and teachers, as well as other students, in group discussions, encouraging the students to be courageous in pursuing their dreams and studies.
Also attending the event were District Officer (Kowloon City) Alice Choi Man-kwan; Treasurer of the HKMU Council Arnold Cheng Ka-kui; and members of HKMU management. The full list of Mainland Olympians and Hong Kong athletes attending the event can be found in the appendix.
Appendix:
Full list of Mainland Olympians and Hong Kong athletes attending the event:
Eleven athletes and coach from the Mainland Olympians delegation, including:
– Yang Jiayu (Athletics – Women's 20km race walk – Champion)
– Xu Shixiao (Canoeing – Women's C-2 500m – Champion)
– Deng Yawen (Cycling – Women's BMX freestyle – Champion)
– Xie Yu (Shooting – Men's 10m air pistol – Champion)
– Li Yuehong (Shooting – Men's 25m rapid fire pistol – Champion)
– Sun Yingsha (Table tennis – Mixed doubles – Champion and Women's team – Champion)
– Luo Shifang (Weightlifting – Women's 59kg – Champion)
– Li Wenwen (Weightlifting – Women's +81kg – Champion)
– Zhang Yufei (Swimming – Mixed 4 × 100m medley relay – 1st runner-up, Women's 100m butterfly – 2nd runner-up, Women's 200m butterfly – 2nd runner-up, Women's 50m freestyle – 2nd runner-up, Women's 4 × 100m freestyle relay – 2nd runner-up and Women's 4 × 100m medley relay – 2nd runner-up)
– Sun Jiaqi (Cycling – Women's BMX freestyle – 7th place)
– Wang Guoxin (Coach, National Weightlifting Team)
Athletes of Hong Kong, China:
– Leung Kwan-yi (Athletics)
– Lam Hin-chung (Fencing)
– Lee Chun-ho (Karate)
– Sung Man-to (Modern Pentathlon)
– Ken Li (Pétanque)
– Hazel Ng Chi-ching (Rope Skipping)
– Chiu Hin-chun (Rowing)
– Zhang Ling (Tennis)