Hong Kong Olympians tipped to share best athlete title in first for city, with Cathay Sports Stars Awards organisers announcing plan to recognise city’s best male and female athletes
- Fencer Edgar Cheung and swimmer Siobhan Haughey are likely winners for the new awards
- Organisers intend to follow IOC’s promotion of gender equality
Two of Hong Kong’s Olympic heroes are likely to come away smiling when the annual Cathay Sports Stars Awards next take place, with the best male athlete and best female athlete being recognised for the first time.
In the past, the city has only had an athlete of the year, but with gold medallist Edgar Cheung Ka-long and double silver medallist Siobhan Haughey almost impossible to choose between, organisers appear to have opted for a different approach.
With the pair both managing historic achievements in Tokyo, those behind the annual award said on Friday that there would be a best male athlete and best female athlete for 2021, with each winning HK$80,000 (US$10,000).
“The awards have been there for more than two decades and it’s time to introduce some changes,” said Karl Kwok, vice-president of the Olympic Committee, and chairman of the organising committee. “Also the International Olympic Committee has been promoting gender equality and therefore as a member of the IOC we reckon it would be appropriate if we separate it into two categories – men’s and women’s.”
Cheung became Hong Kong’s first Olympic gold medallist for more than 20 years when he won the men’s individual foil at the Makuhari Messe in Tokyo. Windsurfer Lee Lai-shan won the first gold for Hong Kong at the 1996 Atlanta Games.