‘I can go even faster’: Hong Kong’s sole representative at the world athletics championships on her Rio woe and going quicker in London

Although her presence at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford won’t register when she shares a stage with superstar Usain Bolt or the hometown hero Mo Farah, who are making their last appearances at the biennial event, the 30-year-old race walker’s persistence is second to none.

“It was a big loss for her after failing to make it to the Rio Games as she was so close,” said Hong Kong Athletic Association senior vice chairman Simon Yeung Sai-mo, who is in London for an upcoming IAAF meeting.

“Despite her age, she kept trying until her dream of racing in a major event was achieved. The world championships is the most important event in athletics and as the sole Hong Kong qualifier, we feel proud of her.”

Ching, who is now in the UK for her final buildup to the London event, said she went through a difficult period after her Olympic disappointment.

“I couldn’t go to Rio which was so disappointing, but it’s not the end of the world,” she said. “I used that whole year to get back to my training and tried to hit that one hour and 36 minutes (the qualifying mark for the Rio Olympics and the world championships).