Lee Lai-shan’s message to Hong Kong’s Rio athletes – they spend millions on you, so don’t waste this chance
Twenty years ago to the day, San San won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics – and Hong Kong is still waiting for another champion
Olympic gold medallist Lee Lai-shan has urged Hong Kong athletes to justify the generous financial and technical support they enjoy as elite sportsmen and women when they seek glory at the 2016 Rio Games in August.
It is 20 years ago to the day that windsurfer San San made history when she became the first Hong Kong athlete to win a medal at the Olympics, at the 1996 Atlanta Games – in an era when local sport received a third of the funding they do now.
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Not many athletes are able to represent Hong Kong,” said 45-year-old Lee, Hong Kong’s only Olympic gold medallist. “So they should first enjoy the competition and try their best to achieve good results for them and for Hong Kong as well.
“When I was an athlete, the system was just getting started. Now, it is more comprehensive and the support for athletes is more than in my time.
“Because they get more money, much more than what we did, I just want to say, don’t waste your chance.