Hong Kong's athletes won glowing praise last night for exceeding the wildest expectations as the hosts celebrated the successful staging of their first ever major games.
A record haul of 26 gold medals, 31 silver and 53 bronze gave Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and other officials plenty to smile about at last night's closing ceremony at the Hong Kong Coliseum.
Featuring a Games record 22 sports, the fifth East Asian Games cost tax payers HK$1.6 billion. Officials admitted it would be difficult to judge whether every cent was worthwhile, but said the 12-day extravaganza had increased the awareness of sports in society.
'We have witnessed the combined efforts of the sports community and the government to put on a great games in Hong Kong and for those who spent money to buy tickets they have been rewarded with competition and top-class performances,' Hong Kong Olympic Committee honorary secretary Pang Chung said.
'I also congratulate Hong Kong's athletes for their outstanding achievements. Their marvellous results have come as a big surprise.'
The hosts finished fourth in the medals table, behind China who captured 113 golds, Japan (62) and South Korea (39). At the last Games, in Macau four years ago, Hong Kong could manage only two golds, two silver and nine bronze medals when they finished third last out of the nine competing countries/regions. Hong Kong had won only seven gold medals in all four previous Games.
'The result shows our sports have made great improvements over the past four years, but it is also because we had home-ground advantage,' Pang said. 'Most of all, we have enjoyed many technical advantages which have bolstered our medal count.'