Paris Paralympics: Hong Kong’s John Lee praises ‘extraordinary’ Chan Yui-lam after silver
Swimmer Chan second in women’s 100 metres butterfly S14 behind Great Britain’s Poppy Maskill, who breaks world record
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu praised Chan Yui-lam’s display of “extraordinary capabilities” after she won a silver medal in the women’s 100 metres butterfly S14 at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Chan finished second to Great Britain’s Poppy Maskill, who set a world-record time of one minute, three seconds to win gold.
In third place at halfway, Chan then outswam Valeriia Shabalina of Russia – competing as a neutral athlete – to touch the wall in 1:03.70, slicing 0.3 seconds off her Asian record. Shabalina and Britain’s Olivia Newman-Baronius, co-holders of the old world record, came home third and fourth.
“Chan Yui-lam spared no effort and showed her great perseverance in the competition,” Lee said. “Her silver medal is well deserved, showcasing the extraordinary capabilities of Hong Kong athletes with disabilities.
“All Hong Kong people and I are thrilled and proud of her. I wish the Hong Kong, China delegation will continue to achieve remarkable results in other events and unleash their potential to win honour for Hong Kong.”
Having finished just outside the podium positions by a 0.15-second margin in her Paralympics debut in Tokyo three years ago, Chan was visibly emotional after receiving her medal at the Paris La Defense Arena.
