Congratulations poured in for cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing on Sunday following her second gold medal win at a Chinese National Games, with government officials hailing her for bringing “glory to Hong Kong”.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui praised Lee following her title defence in the women’s road race cycling in Zhuhai earlier in the day.
“I am thrilled and excited,” Law said. “[Lee] has once again brought glory to Hong Kong following her gold medal at the last [Games in Shaanxi in 2021], fully demonstrating that Hong Kong athletes are capable of competing with top-tier athletes in high-level competitions.”
Lee’s gold was the second for Hong Kong so far in these Games, after 26-year-old Nicholas Halliday claimed top spot in the sailing in the coastal city of Shanwei last month.
She is also the third Hongkonger to win a gold medal more than once at the National Games level, after fellow cyclists Wong Kam-po and Sarah Lee Wai-sze.
Lee is set to receive HK$750,000 (US$96,000) from the Hong Kong Jockey Club for her achievement at the Games.
Through its Charities Trust and role as sole partner sponsor for the Hong Kong region in the Games, the Jockey Club has pledged HK$750,000 for each individual gold medal win, HK$375,000 for a silver, and HK$150,000 for a bronze.
In team events, the amount has been raised to HK$1.5 million for a gold medal, HK$750,000 for a silver and HK$300,000 for a bronze.
The city is hoping to win a bronze in the men’s handball. It defeated Guangdong on Friday, but lost 21-24 to Anhui the following day in their last-four clash.
Hong Kong will face Beijing on Monday after the capital’s team was defeated by Jiangsu.
The 15th National Games officially kicked off in a glittering opening ceremony on Sunday night at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Centre in Guangzhou.
“I sincerely invite everyone to come to the Hong Kong competition zone to view the matches, where you can feel for yourself Hong Kong’s dynamism and charm,” Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in his speech.
“We will jointly spread the sporting spirit [with Macau and Guangdong], raise the level of competition, and contribute to building the country as a sporting powerhouse.
“Whether it’s the vibrant Victoria Harbour or the world-class Kai Tak Sports Park, all will become a venue.”
The ceremony saw delegates of the three co-hosts, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau emerge together, with the city team led by its flag bearer, 31-year-old rower Chiu Hin-chun.
Chui, a two-time Olympian, had to leave the ceremony early to prepare for his men’s lightweight single sculls A final on Monday morning.
Earlier on Sunday, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki reported on Hong Kong’s preparations as a co-host for the Games.
“We are confident and capable of ensuring that all events and support services in the Hong Kong competition zone are precisely executed and efficiently held,” he said.
“Hong Kong will work closely with Guangdong province and the Macau Special Administrative Region, uniting our efforts to present a national-level sports spectacle to the people of the whole country, upholding the commitment to being ‘simple, safe, and wonderful’.”
He added that all events held in the city had progressed smoothly so far, after the beach volleyball commenced on October 31 and the women’s final was held on Saturday, won by Fujian’s Xue Chen and Zeng Jinjin.
Chan said the event “has been highly popular with the public”, with all tickets for the evening session of Beach Volleyball on November 8 being sold out.
