Naming arena after her too early, says champion Hong Kong cyclist Lee Wai-sze
Despite her successes, newly crowned world champion insists calls to name HK's new velodrome after her are premature
Newly crowned world champion Sarah Lee Wai-sze insists calls for Hong Kong's new velodrome in Tseung Kwan O to be named after her are premature, despite her most recent success at the world's highest level.
The 25-year-old track sprinter returned yesterday from Minsk, Belarus, where she won gold and bronze in the women's time trial and sprint respectively - the best achievement yet by any Hong Kong cyclist in a world event. Lee also won a bronze at the London Olympic Games last summer, Hong Kong's third Olympics medal.
Asked if she would like to see the new facility named after her, like the Commonwealth Games' Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Scotland, Lee said she had a long way to go to deserve such an honour.
"I did think about it when I went to London last year, that it would be wonderful if Hong Kong could have a velodrome named after me," she said at the airport yesterday.
I did think about it when I went to London last year, that it would be wonderful if Hong Kong could have a velodrome named after me
"But then I thought it would not be fair to other Hong Kong cyclists as they have also made major contributions to the sport. And the most important thing is I have yet to achieve the same degree of success as Sir Chris.