A flag presentation for Hong Kong's sole representative to next month's Vancouver Winter Olympics yesterday turned into an appeal by Han Yueshuang for more support for her sport. Han, who also represented Hong Kong in the short-track skating at the Turin Games, said nothing had changed in four years. 'We are still a sport without support,' said 27-year-old Han, a Jilin native who moved to Hong Kong seven years ago seeking more opportunities at the highest level. 'There is still no proper venue for training in Hong Kong and I have to travel back to China for all my preparation. Our sport receives minimal support from the authorities. Even if I have injuries I do not get subsidised medical treatment like many other athletes who represent Hong Kong at the Olympic Games. 'Some of my equipment is also very old before it gets replaced. It is very disappointing.' With the Games to start in three weeks, Han still has to go back to the mainland tomorrow to fine-tune her preparations before leaving for Vancouver on February 10. 'We have received HK$100,000 from the government, but the living standards are very high in Vancouver and I cannot afford to spend long preparing there,' she said. 'The China team will be leaving for Vancouver at the end of the month for acclimatisation, but I cannot do the same.' There are three short-track events in the Olympics - 500 metres, 1,000 metres and 1,500 metres. Han finished 24th in both the 500 metres and 1,500 metres and was 18th in the 1,000 metres in Turin.
