Internet darling Fu Yuanhui could be invited to join Chinese Olympians’ visit to Hong Kong
Chef de mission Kenneth Fok says he ‘will try’ to get bronze medal swimmer to attend, but trip is intended for gold medallists only
Chinese gold medal winners from the Rio Olympics are set to visit Hong Kong later this month, but bronze medallist and overnight internet sensation Fu Yuanhui might also receive an invitation.
Asked about the popular swimmer during a live phone interview from Rio with RTHK, Hong Kong chef de mission Kenneth Fok Kai-kong said he would try to invite her, but the trip was planned for gold medallists only.
“The Olympic Committee of Hong Kong has invited the national team, but it is up to the national team to decide who will come. According to past practices, it is usually reserved for the gold medallists because there will be a lot of them if gold, silver and bronze winners all come,” he said.
“We will bring up the issue [about Fu], and I hope we have the opportunity to invite her.”
While Fu is the first Chinese Olympian to earn a medal in the backstroke, it is her hilarious post-race interviews that have engaged millions of new online fans in China and around the world.