Swim coach Sherry Tsai ends four-month nightmare as public swimming facilities reopen in Hong Kong
- Decorated swimmer back in business as Leisure and Cultural Services Department reopens 33 public pools on Thursday
- Official says many Hong Kong junior team members have suffered physical and psychological problems during the hiatus
Swimmer-turned-coach Sherry Tsai Hiu-wai almost forgot the last time she had gone to a swimming pool in Hong Kong – it was almost four months ago.
On Thursday, the government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department reopened 33 public swimming pools that were closed on January 29 because of the coronavirus outbreak.
“Even when I prepared for the School Certificate Examination some 20 years ago I only stopped going to the pool for two to three months because of studies,” said the three-time Olympian and flag bearer for Hong Kong at the 2004 Athens Games, who now works as a club coach. “This possibly is the longest four months for me as a swimmer and a coach of not seeing a swimming pool.
“We did prepare for the worst when the pools were closed because of the virus attack, but we did not expect it to become a pandemic. It has taken so long to get back to training.”
Most swimming coaches, especially those working at grass roots level, lost their earning power overnight with the closure of the public pools. Tsai, who first represented Hong Kong at the age of 12, was fortunate her club still paid her during the hiatus, although she suffered a salary cut like many other Hong Kong people.