HK athletes to share HK$950,000 cash incentives for Games effort

They may have missed out on medals at the Beijing Olympics, but the Hong Kong athletes who finished in the top 16 of their events will share HK$950,000 for their efforts.

Under the 'Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme', those who finished between 4th and 16th place in individual events will be paid HK$50,000, while teams will receive HK$100,000, a bank spokeswoman said yesterday.

Sixteen Hong Kong athletes came in the top 16 of their events.

So table tennis stars Lin Ling, Tie Yana, Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching, who made the grade in both the singles and team events, will enjoy a double payout.

Other prize winners include Samantha Lam, Patrick Lam and Kenneth Cheng Man-kit in the equestrian jumping team, and world champion cyclist Wong Kam-po.

There will also be a HK$20,000 reward for each athlete who broke a Hong Kong record.