Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Hong Kong athletes to quarantine for seven days upon their return from the Games

The protocol is a boost for local athletes who intend to compete at the China National Games in September

Chef de Mission Pui says there’s a risk attending the Games under the pandemic, but believes Tokyo organisers would do their best to protect all participants

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Chef de Mission to Tokyo Olympic Games Pui Kwan-kay (second from left) and three Olympic athletes who attended a commercial sponsorship activity to support the Hong Kong delegation. From left: Hayley Chan Hei-man, Michael Cheng Chun-leung (both windsurfing) and Winnie Hung Wing-yan (rowing). Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Published: 7:24pm, 29 Jun 2021Updated: 10:48pm, 29 Jun 2021

Hong Kong Olympians returning from the Tokyo Games will require seven days of quarantine, paving the way for them to take part in the China National Games in September.

Chef de Mission of the Hong Kong delegation to Tokyo, Pui Kwan-kay, said on Tuesday they had already secured approval from the government for this arrangement. Pui said they are negotiating a better deal with the government whereby athletes would be allowed to spend their quarantine in their training headquarters at the Sport Institute.

“Most of our delegation members have already taken Covid-19 vaccines and therefore will only be required to quarantine in a hotel for seven days after returning from Tokyo,” said Pui, who attended a commercial sponsorship programme to the Hong Kong delegation. “We know many of the athletes may also need to travel to China for September’s National Games and it will definitely affect their preparation if they stay a longer time in quarantine.

Top rider Sarah Lee Wai-sze (left) and Jessica Lee Hoi-yan will take part in the China National Games upon their return from the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

“In fact, we are trying to see if it is possible for the Sports Institute athletes to stay in the elite training centre for quarantine so they do not have to stop their preparations for the National Games.”

Upon completion of the track cycling Nations Cup in May, Hong Kong team riders, led by Sarah Lee Wai-sze, were required to spend 14 days quarantine in a hotel. But after negotiating with the government, they were allowed to quarantine at the training centre in Fo Tan and thereby continue their training through designated transport to the velodrome in Tseung Kwan O.