San San seeks help to manage her millions

Shining star Lee Lai-shan is to hire a manager to handle her personal and financial affairs when she returns next week from the Olympic Games.

San San, 25, will be seeking expert help to sift through the offers and financial rewards which have deluged her since she struck gold in Savannah.

Feeling tired and in need of rest, she said the move would enable her to concentrate on her studies and windsurfing after she got back on Wednesday.

'When I get back to Hong Kong, I will find a manager to take care of my financial affairs,' said Lee, who admits to being dumbfounded by the San San-mania she created in Hong Kong.

'I've had a lot of interviews and functions in Savannah and I was told there will be a big reception for me in Hong Kong.

'My voice is very tired after speaking to so many people. I haven't had time to really rest or enjoy a good meal.' Since becoming the first Hong Kong athlete to win an Olympic medal on Monday morning she has already been awarded more than $2 million in cash, while companies have been racing to sign her up to endorse their products.

Her decision to seek expert help was commended last night by the International Management Group, which already has on its books fellow gold medallists Michael Johnson and Dan O'Brien.

Southeast Asia senior marketing manager Nick Freyer said: 'I would advise her, along with her mother and coach, to sit down with someone who is qualified to help her.

'She has a clean and respectable image and doesn't want a slimy sports promoter ruining her image. The person must have ethics and experience to help her sort out which offers will work best for her career.

'She has probably got six months in which her flame will be really hot. It's then, and more acutely in the next three months, that the deals will have to be done. Nothing lasts forever, she is now at the tip of the iceberg.' Mr Freyer, who said she would also need help with tax planning, added there was a danger in taking on too much work.

'It would be better to go for fewer deals with a higher value. If she promotes a Chinese dry fish company it will reduce the interest of blue-chip sponsor companies, like Coca-Cola.' Hong Kong delegation chef de mission Pang Chung said he would be doing his best to try and protect San San's privacy when she returned to Atlanta later today.

'She is feeling physically and mentally tired and we will try and see that she gets some rest without people bothering her.'