Hong Kong making broadcast bid for 2022 Asian Games, Carrie Lam says, with Paris Olympics likely next in line
- Move to land TV rights for next year’s Games in Hangzhou follows city’s unprecedented purchase of Tokyo Olympics rights in May
- But dismay over funding issues expressed by local athletes dampens chief executive’s weekend trip to Shaanxi province for 14th National Games
Lam said her administration was not only confident it would secure rights for the September 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, but already studying the possibility of a similar purchase of the next Olympics as well.
She also met Hong Kong athletes taking part in the National Games during her visit to the provincial capital of Xian on Sunday, praising their dedication and urging them to continue competing at a high level on behalf of the city.
But the pep talk, which came on the heels of Hong Kong’s best-ever Olympics performance, also gave local athletes a platform to unload their grievances.
Hurdler Vera Lui Lai-yiu, fighting back tears at one point, told Lam that under the current system, the city’s Sports Institute offered substantial support only if athletes medalled in major events. Even if their performance improved, she said, they still risked falling out of favour if they failed to medal.
Long jumper Chan Ming-tai, meanwhile, told Lam there were only two full-time coaches on the track and field team, meaning many coaches were using their private hours to train them. He expressed hope that the system could be improved.
Lam conceded she was unaware of the issue, saying she would “go back and take a look”.
Hong Kong’s teams picked up two gold and five bronze medals at this year’s National Games, with the cycling team taking four of them.
Lam is expected to attend Monday’s closing ceremony as honorary head of the city’s delegation.
