appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

SCMP

On this day in 2004, Hong Kong table tennis players Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching secured the city’s second-ever Olympic medal after winning silver in men’s doubles table tennis at the 2004 Athens Games. In the final, Li and Ko faced Ma Lin and Chen Qi of China.
Through these newspaper clippings and pictures, we look at the Post’s coverage of the momentous achievement.



We tried hard, but they were too strong for us. But we are happy to win a medal.
Li Ching



The Olympic heroes made their way home a week later on August 31, 2004 where they were greeted by hundreds of supporters, including their families and then-chief executive Tung Chee-hwa.






2 footballers, bookie jailed up to 17 months in Hong Kong match-fixing scandal

Hong Kong boxer Gurung’s world title quest, wants Chris Eubank Jnr, Conor Benn fights

In photos: fitness met fun at Hyrox Hong Kong 2026

How to train and prepare for Hyrox, from gym sessions to running practice

Hong Kong sports

Hong Kong wins its second-ever Olympic medal at 2004 Athens Games – from the SCMP archive

Silver medalists Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching of Hong Kong wave from the podium after the medal ceremony for the men’s doubles table tennis at the Athens Olympic Games on August 21, 2004. Photo: Reuters

SCMP’s August 22, 2004 issue. 

Ko Lai-chak (right) and Li Ching (left) on their way to winning the silver medal in the men’s doubles table tennis at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games on August 21, 2004. Photo: Reuters 

China’s Ma Lin (bottom left) celebrates with Chen Qi (bottom right) after defeating Hong Kong’s Ko Lai-chak (top left) and Li Ching (top right) 4-2. Photo: AP

Hong Kong’s Ko Lai-chak (left) and Li Ching (right) show their silver medal. Photo: AP

Both teams on the podium in a show of sportsmanship. Photo: Reuters

Frontpage of SCMP’s August 22, 2004 issue. 

(Left to right) Li Ching’s parents He Siuqun and Li Yanhua with Ko Lai-chak’s parents Luo Yuyan and Gao Qun at the Chek Lap Kok airport on August 31, 2004. Photo: Robert Ng

Hundreds of supporters watching the Hong Kong Olympic delegation welcome home ceremony at the Cultural Centre. Photo: Robert Ng

Former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa greets the Athens Olympic table tennis silver medallists outside the Cultural Centre. Photo: Robert Ng

Table tennis fan Lam Kam-kwong showing off his bat autographed by Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching. Photo: Robert Ng

Olympic memory: when ‘desperate’ 2004 table tennis duo won Hong Kong’s second ever medal

Hong Kong’s Li Ching (right) celebrates with doubles partner Ko Lai-chak on their way to winning silver in Athens. Photo: AP

Li Ching (left) and Ko Lai-chak stand on the podium after defeat by China in the final in Athens. Photo: AP

Ko Lai-chak (left) and Li Ching show off their 2004 Games silver medals 20 years later. Photo: Mike Chan

Paris Olympics: as Hong Kong basks in golden Games, officials silent on how to follow it

Cheung Ka-long unfurls a Hong Kong flag as he celebrates his Olympic gold in Paris. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong clutches her gold medal at the Games. Photo: DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Ceci Lee (centre, in blue) competes in track cycling’s omnium event in Paris. Photo: SF&OC

Hong Kong Sports Institute bosses have resisted discussing how to plot future success. Photo: Winson Wong

Hong Kong MTR’s Eastern Harbour Crossing opens in 1989 – from the SCMP archive

A train enters the new MTR cross harbour tunnel on the Kowloon side heading for Quarry Bay station. Photo: Sam Chan

South China Morning Post issue from August 5, 1989.

News

Hong Kong

Society

Sport

Two decades ago, table tennis players Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching win silver in Athens and receive a heroes’ welcome upon their return to Hong Kong


Two decades ago, table tennis players Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching win silver in Athens and receive a heroes’ welcome upon their return to Hong Kong.


From our archives

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Two decades ago, table tennis players Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching win silver in Athens and receive a heroes’ welcome upon their return to Hong Kong

Two decades ago, table tennis players Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching win silver in Athens and receive a heroes’ welcome upon their return to Hong Kong