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Siobhan Haughey speaks to the press after breaking the Hong Kong record in the 400m freestyle at the Hong Kong Open Swimming Championships at Victoria Park Swimming Pool. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong’s Asian Games swimming qualifiers closed off to fans, in fear of Covid-19 cases before September showcase

  • This weekend’s Long Course Time Trial at Sports Institute in Fo Tan will see Siobhan Haughey in action but no spectators are allowed
  • Institute looking to ‘minimise footprints’ to training centre to protect athletes – despite Hangzhou 2023 being five months away
Swimming

Despite the government’s repeated pledges that Hong Kong has returned to normal, this weekend’s swimming event featuring Olympic hero Siobhan Haughey will take place behind closed doors because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Most of Hong Kong’s top swimmers including double Tokyo silver medallist Haughey, will compete at the two-day Festival of Sports Long Course Time Trial.

The event will provide an opportunity to qualify for next year’s Paris Games, and is the last shot for those wanting to represent Hong Kong at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

But not even the athletes’ family members, let alone fans or media, will be allowed to enter the venue at the Sports Institute’s Fo Tan complex.

A spokesman for the elite training centre said they wanted to protect their athletes from contracting Covid-19 heading into the Asian Games, which starts in September, as the regional showpiece remains the biggest target of the year.

Fans lining up for an autograph of star swimmer Siobhan Haughey at Victoria Park Swimming Pool. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

“What we are trying to do is minimise footprints to the Institute so as to better protect the athletes from the pandemic ahead of the Asian Games,” he said.

“After all, the number of pandemic cases has been increasing recently and we need to take precautionary measures to minimise the risk.”

Hong Kong Swimming Association president Ronnie Wong Man-chiu said the Victoria Park Swimming Pool is under renovation and they had to look for an alternative venue for the event.

“The Sports Institute swimming pool is conveniently located, and it is up to a good standard,” he said. “We understand there are certain rules we have to follow when using the facility there and there is not much we can do about running the event behind closed doors.”

Siobhan Haughey waves to the crowd as she stands in front of Summer Lam after the women 4x100 medley relay, during the Hong Kong Open Swimming Championships held at Victoria Park Swimming Pool. Photo: Dickson Lee

Haughey, who already reached the Olympic A qualifying standard for Paris in both the 200-metre and 400m freestyle at the Pro Swim Series in Fort Lauderdale, Florida last month, has entered two shorter distances back home – the 50m and 100m freestyle, with Olympic qualification in her sights.

The 25-year-old star swimmer is expected to meet challenges from Tam Hoi-lam, also a Tokyo Olympian, and up-and-comer Li Sum-yiu, a form two student, in both events.

Also aiming for an Olympic spot will be Ian Ho Yentou in the men’s 50m freestyle – the same event he qualified for at the Tokyo Olympics.

In the women’s backstroke, junior record holder Cindy Cheung Sum-yuet will take part in all three events from 50m to 200m, and will take on veterans Stephanie Au Hoi-shun and Toto Wong Kwan-to, both Tokyo Olympians.

Veteran Stephanie Au Hoi-shun has set her sights on the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

The Swimming Association will select its squad for the Hangzhou Asian Games after the event before submitting it to the Olympic Committee by the end of the month.

Hong Kong sent a large delegation of 32 swimmers to the Jakarta Asian Games five years ago, but Haughey missed the multi-sport showcase because of injury.

“The two-day event will be the last selection race for the Asian Games,” said Chen Jianhong, swimming head coach at the Sports Institute.

“Those who want to go Hangzhou must prove they are competitive in the region before we submit the list to the Olympic Committee for approval.”

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