Swimmers Mark Kwok, Arthur Li and Snowie Pang plus diver Ng Sui will go to the Olympics in Atlanta, it was confirmed earlier this week. And missing from action will be two of the territory's most well-known swimmers - Michael Wright and Robyn Lamsam - who both failed to reach the qualifying times for Atlanta. For the first time in many years, Hong Kong's swimming contingent will be much smaller. The swimming squad is usually among the largest of the Hong Kong Olympic contingent. Wright and Robyn, two mainstays of the territory's successful squad who have swum in both the Asian Games and Olympics, could not meet the required times at the recently-concluded Asian Championships in Bangkok. Most disappointed was Robyn. The Diocesan Girls' School student, who won silver and bronze medals at the last Asian Games in Hiroshima, was in poor form and failed to meet her qualifying times in Bangkok, which was the last chance for Hong Kong swimmers wishing to qualify for Atlanta. Disappointment was also etched in the face of veteran Wright. Hong Kong's sprint king, who still holds national records in the 50 m and 100 m freestyle, was unable to rise to the occasion in Bangkok. The territory's hopes will rest on one experienced swimmer, Arthur Li, and two other swimmers who have come onto the scene in the last three or four years. Arthur's strength is in the 4 x 100 m individual medley but he can be a very tough competitor in other events like the 100 m freestyle. Mark Kwok has steadily come through the age group ranks to be a fine swimmer all round. He will be going to his first Olympics, as will female swimmer Snowie Pang. Snowie's hard work and consistency have deservedly earned her a place in the Hong Kong squad. Hong Kong have always fared poorly in the diving events - remember the Hong Kong diver who received an embarrassing 0 score during the preliminaries of the 1988 Seoul Games? However, Ng Sui is very confident of making waves in Atlanta.
