When Fenella Ng Gar-loc was four, she was fished out of a Macau swimming pool by a life guard who thought she was drowning. Ha, ha! How could that overzealous guardian of the pool have known that the little girl would one day be very much at home on water.
'I was swimming perfectly, though perhaps not in any recognisable stroke or form and I was 'rescued' by this over eager life guard. It was so embarrassing,' laughs Fenella.
That incident, 28 years ago, still holds a special place in Fenella's mind and tickles her pink. Probably because of the sheer absurdity of it all when you consider that today she is most celebrated for her feats in water-related sports. Fenella has represented Hong Kong for over 20 years, competing in five Asian Games and two Olympics. Four of those Asian Games were as a swimmer. The last one, the 1998 Games in Bangkok, was in rowing. She also took part at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and then four years later in Seoul as a swimmer.
In Sydney, the 32-year-old will go down in the annals of sport as the only Hong Kong athlete to compete in two different sports at the Olympics. After a 12-year break, the swimmer-turned-rower returns to the Olympic arena and will take part in the women's heavyweight singles.
'I remember watching the Barcelona Games on TV in 1992 when I was taking a break from swimming and thinking at the time that I really missed being there and competing. Despite having been to other major Games during the last few years, it is never the same. There is an atmosphere at the Olympics that is always that little bit more special,' says Fenella.
And she is undoubtedly going to feel the occasion when she leads the Hong Kong contingent out at tomorrow's opening ceremony at the awe-inspiring Olympic Stadium. Not only will it be the first time that Fenella will be carrying the Hong Kong flag at a major Games, but it is also the first time that the bauhinia flag will be seen at the Olympics.
'I feel very honoured and proud to have been chosen to carry the flag on this occasion. I have had a long and successful career and I am sure this will be my last Olympics. Carrying the SAR flag into the Olympic arena during the opening ceremony will be the icing on the cake.'