Territory gets swimming boost

ROBYN Lamsam and Katie Lau King-ting raised Hong Kong's hopes of a medal in the women's 4 ? 100 metres relay with excellent performances in yesterday's 100 metres individual final at the Big Wave Indoor Pool.

Lamsam was fifth in the final, clocking 58.14 seconds, nearly four seconds behind China's gold medallist, Shan Ying.

Lau swam two successive personal best times, 59.74 in her heat and then 59.53 in finishing eighth in the final.

But the significance of the pair's performances lies in the fact that only one South Korean, Lee Bo-eun reached the final. She was seventh in 58.87.

National coach Bill Sweetenham said: 'At the moment, it puts us in front of the Koreans for the relay. China and Japan look too strong for gold and silver, and Hong Kong and Korea are next.

'China, Japan and Hong Kong had two swimmers in the final. Korea had only one.' Sweetenham said Lau will kick off Hong Kong's relay team tomorrow with Lamsam likely to play the anchor role. Vivien Lee Ying-shih and Fenella Ng Gar-loc complete the Hong Kong team.

Shan set an Asian Games record in the event with 54.40, edging out compatriot Lu Bin, who timed 54.42.