The Cyclothon will take place on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong in January. Photo: Tourism Board
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https://scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3156418/organisers-crack-down-riders-who-display-political-slogans-gear-and Hong Kong
Organisers to crack down on Hong Kong riders who display political slogans on gear and clothing at January’s Cyclothon
- Officials say cyclists are to be reported to the authorities if they refuse to remove slogans
- Entry quota is set at 3,000 for two races on the city’s section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
Chief Executive Carrie Lam presents the winners’ trophy to team Mitchelton-Scott at the 2018 Hong Kong Cyclothon in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
Organisers of the Hong Kong Cyclothon will seek help from the authorities if participants are caught with political slogans on their equipment and clothing and refuse to remove them, an official said.
Mason Hung Chung-hing, director of event and product development at the Tourism Board, said they intended to bring more positive energy to the community through the January 16 competition.
“Any rider who puts up political elements in their gears such as their jerseys or bikes will be asked to remove them before they can start,” said Hung. “If they refuse, we will then seek help from the authorities, just like the recent marathon organisers did.
“Hong Kong has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic for a long period and with the pandemic easing, we are happy to bring the event back, hoping the participants can enjoy a great race, especially with the introduction of a new route this time.”
Hung, however, did not elaborate when it came to explaining what is meant by “political elements”.
The Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon, which started in 2015 with international riders, had been suspended for the past two years owing to anti-government protests in 2019 and the Covid-19 pandemic last year. The 2021 event has been postponed to January and no overseas riders will attend because of strict quarantine requirements.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board's sports event calendar for 2019, which is missing the Hong Kong Cyclothon. Handout
It will be the first time the route will include the Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge. A free virtual ride experience will also be offered to cyclists unable to join in person.
“These special features are a pilot run for future intercity events in the Greater Bay Area, and consolidate Hong Kong’s status as the international tourism event capital in the area,” said Tourism Board executive director Dane Cheng. “I sincerely hope participants from other cities in the area will come and ride with us in the years to come.”
The Mitchelton-Scott team compete in the Hammer Series at the 2018 Hong Kong Cyclothon in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
Organisers will introduce stringent health control measures to ensure participants’ safety. All riders are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least 14 days before the event (on or before Jan 2) and provide a negative Covid-19 nucleic acid test within 48 hours before the event. Organsers plan to have a maximum 3,000 participants for two races – 48km (1,000) and 26km (2,000) with registration opening on Saturday (November 20).