bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

James Porteous

Siobhan Haughey made Olympic history for Hong Kong by qualifying for the semi-finals of the 200m freestyle at Rio’s Aquatics Centre on Monday.
The 18-year-old is believed to be the first HK swimmer to achieve the feat since Cheung Kin-man at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952.
WATCH: Relive the action involving Hong Kong athletes on Day 3 at the Rio Olympics

Haughey comfortably won her heat in one minute 56.91 seconds to qualify in ninth place – ahead of four-time Olympic gold medallist Missy Franklin.
“I’m delighted for Siobhan," said team-mate Camille Cheng Lily Mei, who was in the same heat. “I’m disappointed by my time but that was an amazing swim.
Why one of the world’s top swim coaches believes Hong Kong teen Siobhan Haughey can star at the Olympics
“I think that’s two seconds or more better than her PB. That’ll get her a swim at night [semi-finals] for sure.”
The women's 200m freestyle semi-finals will be on at 9am HKT (Rio's Monday night 10pm).
Haughey did not speak to the media as she focuses all her attention on the semis. 
She was due to compete in the 200m Individual Medley less than an hour after her freestyle heat, but pulled out to ensure she is totally fresh for the biggest race of her life.
WATCH: Teenage swimming star Siobhan Haughey gets ready for her debut in the Olympics

Haughey will be up against American phenomenon Katie Ledecky and Sarah Sjostrom, both of whom set world records in the pool here on Sunday night, and the current 200m free world record holder Federica Pellegrini.
The teenager is the second youngest of the 16 semi-finalists – China prodigy Ai Yanhan is only 14. 
Her University of Michigan coach Mike Bottom, the assistant coach of the all-powerful US team here in Brazil, told the Post earlier this year that Haughey could even have a medal chance: “She has a shot to be in the final, and if you have that, on any given day, you can get on the podium," he said.
Meanwhile Cheng, whose time was 1:59.71, felt she reacted badly to the pressure of making her Olympic bow, but hopes she'll be able to calm the nerves with two more individual events and a relay to come.
"I think I was really nervous... But I'm really happy for Siobhan, I flipped when I saw her," she said.
"I'm pretty disappointed, have been  feeling pretty good and wanted at least 1:58, but I guess the first race is the one where you're really nervous.
"But finally I can say I'm an Olympian, just to race at this level is awesome."
 


Tsunami-hit Tonga’s oiled-up Olympic flag bearer Pita Taufatofua raises over US$340,000 in disaster aid

Former Chinese volleyball star Wei Qiuyue donates Olympic gold medal to country’s sports museum

Liu Xiaotong retires: Chinese Olympic volleyball champion to become a coach, saying ‘the thing I missed most was my passion’

Rio 2016 race walk champion Liu Hong retires after fourth place in National Games

Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Siobhan Haughey makes history by becoming Hong Kong's first swimmer in modern era to reach Olympic semi

Hong Kong's Siobhan Haughey reacts acfter winning her heat to qualify for the semi-finals of the 200m freestyle at Rio’s Aquatics Centre on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Why one of the world’s top swim coaches believes Hong Kong teen Siobhan Haughey can star at the Olympics

University of Michigan coach Mike Bottom and his charge Siobhan Haughey. Photos: University of Michigan

2/17/16 SDW16-Big Ten Championships Finished 2nd after Day 1

2/19/16 SDW16-Big Ten Championships Finished 1st after Day 3

10/31/15 SDM16-Tri-Meet Day 1 Penn State and Virginia

This is the best Olympic swimming team we’ve ever had, says Hong Kong coach Fasching

Last year at the Fina world championships in Kazan, none of the seven-member Hong Kong team managed better than a top-14 finish, but the HK coach is hopeful of a better performance in Rio. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Michael Fasching, coach of Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey. 29AUG15

Sport

Hong Kong

Other Sport

Teenager is first HK athlete to make it through the heats since Cheung Kin-man in 1952


Siobhan Haughey made Olympic history for Hong Kong by qualifying for the semi-finals of the 200m freestyle at Rio’s Aquatics Centre on Monday.


Siobhan Haughey

Siobhan Haughey makes history by becoming Hong Kong's first swimmer in modern era to reach Olympic semi

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Teenager is first HK athlete to make it through the heats since Cheung Kin-man in 1952

WATCH: Relive the action involving Hong Kong athletes on Day 3 at the Rio Olympics

Teenager is first HK athlete to make it through the heats since Cheung Kin-man in 1952