Tokyo Olympics: Hong Kong pride for Sarah Lee’s bronze and best-ever Games medal haul
- Hundreds of supporters gather at the APM mall in Kwun Tong to cheer on Sarah Lee as she beats Germany’s Emma Hinze in the women’s sprint bronze medal clash
- Hong Kong has completed its best-ever Olympics with six medals – one gold, two silver and three bronze – for a total of nine since the city’s debut in 1952
Hundreds of Hongkongers gathered at Kwun Tong’s APM mall on Sunday morning to witness track cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze add to her Olympic legacy. Armed with cheer sticks and banners, an anxious crowd watched as the cyclist became the first Hong Kong athlete to win medals in more than one Olympic Games.
The 34-year-old Lee won bronze in the women’s sprint on Sunday at the Izu Velodrome to go with her bronze in the keirin from the 2012 London Olympics.
It was a nerve-racking series of races for Lee on Sunday morning as spectators fixed their gazes on the large TV screens for her semi-final and bronze medal races. The live broadcast attracted about 200 fans to the APM mall.
Cherry Cheung, 34, was passing by the mall when she decided to make a pit stop to watch the action. “I am happy for Lee, she does deserve it after so many years of hard work,” the HR manager said.
In race one of the semi-final, Lee lost to Ukraine’s Olena Strakovia, to the dismay of spectators who clapped their cheer sticks frantically. “It is only the first round, so I am still hopeful,” said Anna Chan, a 30-year-old teacher.
Groans echoed in the mall after Lee’s defeat in the second race, which ended her chances of gold, with some fans whacking cheer sticks against railings in disappointment.
“I really wanted her to win, but it just didn’t happen,” said Wai Yuk, a homemaker in her fifties. “But she tried her best, so I support her.”
Even as the cycling star lost race two, making it bronze or nothing for Hong Kong, fans remained supportive.
Winda Wong, another homemaker in her fifties, said: “I think this year’s competition is very strong, and perhaps the pressure was also a bit heavy. There may be a bit of disappointment but as long as [Lee] tries her best, I think it is all right.”
As Lee reappeared on screen for the bronze medal race against Germany’s Emma Hinze, fans whooped and applauded. The thunderous sound of red cheer sticks being banged together echoed around the mall as Lee and Hinze lined up for the start.
After the despair of failing to reach the final, the “Cycling Goddess” showed off her true colours against the powerful Hinze, convincingly beating the German over two races to take bronze and warm the hearts of Hongkongers.
“I am happy for her,” said Irene Hong, 30, who works in the finance industry. “Something I admire about athletes is their resilience, and there must have been injuries and hardship along the way, and [Lee] persevered.”
With a toddler on his arm, 38-year-old Chang Dong said he was overjoyed to witness Lee’s victory. “Naturally a gold is better than a bronze, but she tried her best and [I thought Lee was] very incredible,” the blue-collar worker said.
The city’s best-performing Olympics have triggered a wave of pride among Hongkongers. Liue, 29, could not hide his elation at Hong Kong’s six medals.
“Looking at previous years, at first I thought Hong Kong would get one or two medals. But then there was a third, then a fourth, and the numbers started rising. I have confidence in Hong Kong [for the next Olympics],” said the civil engineer.
City leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor later praised Lee for being the first Hong Kong athlete to win medals at two separate Games. “She has demonstrated that her competence and determination have passed the test of time, and she has become a Hong Kong legend with her brilliant results. All Hong Kong people are overjoyed at her achievements.” Lam said in a statement.
“In recent years, the Hong Kong Velodrome has been a top-level training venue for our cyclists. The cycling teams have also cooperated closely with local universities, tapping on their research expertise to improve the athletes’ performance,” Lam said.
“Lee and the team’s success has inspired the direction to sports development and enhancement in elite athletes training. We will continue emphasising the allocation of resources in these aspects,” she added.
Additional reporting by Nadia Lam
