Tokyo Olympics: track cyclist Sarah Lee ‘under less pressure’ in her quest to increase Hong Kong’s medal tally in Tokyo

Sprinter begins Tokyo Olympics campaign in Wednesday’s keirin knowing Hong Kong have already earned record haul of medals but still determined to claim gold

Lee won keirin bronze at 2012 London Games, was crowned world champion in 2019 and is aiming to become second Hong Kong athlete to win two Olympic medals

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Sarah Lee (right) and Japan’s Yuka Kobayashi compete in the keirin final at the Nations Cup in Hong Kong in May. Photo: May Tse

Published: 9:00am, 4 Aug 2021Updated: 9:00am, 4 Aug 2021

The Hong Kong spotlight falls on track cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze on Wednesday when the veteran rider takes to the velodrome in Izu hoping to add another medal to the city’s record haul at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The 34-year-old will battle age and the challenge from a strong German contingent when she opens her campaign in the keirin, for which she won a bronze at the 2012 London Games, having crashed out in the semi-finals in Rio 2016.

However, the 2019 world champions has consistently proven herself as one of the world’s leading sprinters and she remains among the favourites for the top podium place in Tokyo.

“She has proven records in the event and we have no doubt she is chasing her second keirin Olympic medal,” said Leung Hung-tak, chairman of Hong Kong Cycling Association.

Sarah Lee will try to add to Hong Kong’s medal tally at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Photo: UCI

“But keirin is also unpredictable because there will be six riders competing on the track under high speed. Anything can happen especially when they are jostling for positions. Also the starting order of the race will not be known until the draw is done before they start and if you have to start among the last two, it will make your race more difficult.”