Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1999978/making-most-it-hong-kongs-olympic-team-revel-their-moment-during-rio
Sport/ Hong Kong

Making the most of it: Hong Kong’s Olympic team revel in their moment during Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony

Olympians get swept up in carnival atmosphere as torch is lit to mark the start of the Games

Olympians get swept up in carnival atmosphere as torch is lit to mark the start of the Games

It was a carnival atmosphere all around at the Maracana for the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Games last night and the Hong Kong Olympic delegation were determined to make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

As they patiently waited for 91 other nations to enter the storied stadium ahead of them, they passed the time snapping selfies and soaking up the electric atmosphere.

A kindly member of the delegation sent a collection of the photos on to our reporters in Rio.
Badminton star Yip Pui-yin takes a selfie of the Hong Kong team before they enter the stadium. (From L-R) Swimmer Sze Hang-yu, chef de mission Kenneth Fok, rower Lee Ka-man, flag bearer Stephanie Au, rower Lee Yuen-yin, sailor Sonia Lo, rower Chiu Hin-chun and swimmer Geoffrey Cheah. Photo: Hong Kong Olympic delegation
Badminton star Yip Pui-yin takes a selfie of the Hong Kong team before they enter the stadium. (From L-R) Swimmer Sze Hang-yu, chef de mission Kenneth Fok, rower Lee Ka-man, flag bearer Stephanie Au, rower Lee Yuen-yin, sailor Sonia Lo, rower Chiu Hin-chun and swimmer Geoffrey Cheah. Photo: Hong Kong Olympic delegation

Some of the athletes themselves were quick to post snaps of their special Rio moments to their own social media accounts.

Pink is the color of the flag bearer! #itshappening #stillcantbelieveit

A photo posted by StephanieAu 歐鎧淳 (@stephaniehsau) on Aug 5, 2016 at 3:01pm PDT

準備去開幕禮,之後一星期就show time for everyone #gohkg #難得一著既短裙加高踭鞋

A photo posted by Sze Hang Yu 施幸余 (Rosanna) (@szehangyu) on Aug 5, 2016 at 4:37pm PDT

Chef de mission Kenneth Fok said, “You can always trust the Brazilians to put on a great party, that’s what we did – joined a flamboyant party today.”

The Opening Ceremony was produced with a smaller budget than the massive outlay of Beijing in 2008 and, to a lesser extent, London four years ago. Yet, with a theme of sustainability at its core, it delivered the type of spectacle needed to cast off some of the negativity which has threatened to derail the Games in the run-up, and alter the mood ahead of the three-week carnival.

The Hong Kong team gets ready to step out in the Maracana stadium at the Opening Ceremony. Photo: Hong Kong Olympic delegation
The Hong Kong team gets ready to step out in the Maracana stadium at the Opening Ceremony. Photo: Hong Kong Olympic delegation

“Our athletes enjoyed themselves, took pictures, mingled with others and danced together!” added Fok. “It was a great experience.”

Hong Kong gets its first taste of the action tomorrow (Rio time) when Vivian Kong begins her campaign in the fencing.