Hong Kong swimmer Stephanie Au may extend career beyond Tokyo Olympics and target 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou

The 28-year-old will be making a fourth Olympic appearance – a record for a Hong Kong swimmer – in Tokyo, with Siobhan Haughey also qualified

Au is shocked after a study reveals that 95 per cent of youth in Hong Kong fall short of WHO recommendations for daily physical activities

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Stephanie Au in action at the 2019 Hong Kong Open Championships in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. Photo: Edward Wong

Published: 8:02pm, 22 Oct 2020Updated: 2:47pm, 7 Jan 2022

Veteran swimmer Stephanie Au Hoi-shun said she would consider extending her international career beyond the Tokyo Olympics to include the 2022 Asian Games – as long as she was still able to contribute to the team’s success, especially in relay events.

The 28-year-old will be making a record fourth appearance in Tokyo next summer, the highest number for any Hong Kong swimmer. With the Tokyo Games being postponed to 2021 from 2020, there is only be a one-year gap before the Hangzhou Asian Games in China.

“Preparations for the 2022 Asian Games will begin soon after the completion of the Tokyo Olympics,” said Au, who on Thursday was at an event to reveal research findings on the exercise habits of Hong Kong’s youth. “It is therefore logical to consider extending my career to the Hangzhou Games because the two Games are not so far apart.

“But first of all, I must still be able to contribute to the swimming team, especially in the relays because I have been a key part of the Hong Kong team.”

Swimmers Stephanie Au (left) and Siobhan Haughey are so far the two only Hong Kong qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association

A backstroke and freestyle specialist, Au was a stalwart of the Hong Kong women’s relay teams when they snatched one silver and one bronze medal at the last Asian Games in Jakarta two years ago.