Tokyo Olympics: Hong Kong swimmer Yvette Kong decides not to pursue another Games – ‘at some point you need some change’
- The 28-year-old, who competed at the Rio Games as one of four swimmers who achieved the A qualifying standard, strongly hints she might retire
- Kong is one of four Festival of Sports ambassadors who will support their fellow Hong Kong athletes in Tokyo
Olympic swimmer Yvette Kong Man-yi says she will play the role of Hong Kong team supporter and ambassador after deciding not to pursue another Olympic place for this summer’s Tokyo Games.
The 28-year-old breaststroker, one of the four Hong Kong swimmers who achieved the Olympic A qualifying standard for the 2016 Rio Games, strongly hinted she would be retiring from competition after deciding not to pursue another spot on the Hong Kong team for the Games.
“I will not be competing in the qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics and will support my teammates [online] this time,” said Kong, who was appointed one of four Festival of Sports ambassadors by the Hong Kong Olympic Committee on Wednesday. “A lot of things have occurred due to the pandemic and at some point in your life you need some change.
“I have been in the sport for many years, from the first time I broke the Hong Kong record in 2006. There are many good swimmers these days and some will have the potential to take up the baton.”
Kong first broke the 100m breaststroke record at the age of 13 and still holds the record in a time of one minute and 7.69 seconds which she set in the Netherlands – five years ago prior to the Rio Games.