South China Morning Post
Advertisement
Advertisement
Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Get more with myNEWS
A personalised news feed of stories that matter to you
Learn more
Hong Kong-born Melanie Wilson and her Great Britain women’s eight teammates will be going for gold against the United States on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
SportHong Kong

Hong Kong is with me in every race, says Great Britain’s Melanie Wilson as she prepares for titanic USA battle

HK-raised rower ready to fight it out for gold in women’s eight

Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Nazvi Careem
Nazvi Careem
Why you can trust SCMP

Hong Kong-raised Melanie Wilson and Great Britain go into Saturday’s women’s eight final knowing they can create a piece of Olympic history by beating the powerful Americans.

The British crew reached the finals after winning their heat this week, beating strong rivals New Zealand to avoid the repechage phase and Hong Kong permanent resident ID holder Wilson said she would be flying the flag for Britain and Hong Kong.

WATCH: golden moments on Day 5 at the Rio Olympics

“I can’t wait for the final,” said Wilson, who finished sixth in the women’s fours at the 2012 London Olympics.

Sun Yang war with Australia spills into cyberspace as hacker fans are blamed for taking down country’s first online census
“The support we’ve had out here has been incredible. Although I am proud to be representing Britain, there is always a little part of Hong Kong with me in every race, and never more so than when we fight it out for the medals on Saturday.”
Wilson (2nd L, back) says a little piece of Hong Kong will be with her when she goes for team gold with Great Britain on Saturday. Photo: Intersport Images

The Americans have won the past two Olympic gold medals and are unbeaten for 10 years. The British team were a close second to the United States in a World Cup event in Lucerne earlier this year, raising hopes that they can cause an upset at the Lagoa Stadium on Saturday.

China gymnast Shang breaks down in tears after losing out on medal and breaks Chinese netizens’ hearts

There are six teams in the final – the US and Great Britain will occupy the centre lanes in the six-boat race, which also features teams who came through the repechage – Netherlands, Romania, Canada and New Zealand.

Post