appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Ada Li

Hong Kong hurdler Vera Lui Lai-yiu has come under scrutiny after competing for Monaco at a European meet, despite remaining registered as a Hong Kong athlete.
The Asian Games bronze medallist won the women’s 100m hurdles at the European Small States Athletics Championships meeting in Monaco on May 30 in 13.73 seconds.
European Athletics, the organiser of the Challenger event, listed her as representing Monaco and said her time set a national record.
Lui was seen draped in Monaco’s flag after the race, while the Monaco national anthem was played during the medal ceremony. However, her World Athletics profile continues to list her as representing Hong Kong.
The situation sparked debate in Hong Kong, particularly as Lui remains an athlete supported by the Hong Kong Sports Institute.


Responding on social media on Saturday, Lui said her participation complied with international rules and did not involve any change of nationality.
“Monaco has a small population and limited number of local athletes, so there is only one athletics club, which I have been training with in Europe over the past three years,” Lui said.
“According to World Athletics and European Athletics regulations, athletes registered with the Monaco club for more than three years are eligible to compete in Challenger competitions. This is an established and recognised arrangement.”
The 31-year-old stressed that she had no intention of switching allegiance.
“I am a Hong Kong athlete and have never and will not apply to change my nationality. I still want to win honours for Hong Kong in the future,” Lui said.
Lui added that similar arrangements had been used by other athletes, including a French pole vaulter and a former Olympic 400m runner, who also competed under Monaco’s club system.
Addressing the post-race scenes, Lui apologised for what she described as a lack of consideration.
“After winning my first gold medal of the day, a staff member handed me the Monaco flag. I did not think carefully and followed a photographer’s request to drape it for photos, which caused misunderstanding,” she said.

She also said she had asked the organisers to remove a video on social media that described her performance as a Monaco national record.
The Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) said Lui was currently undertaking a structured training programme in Europe in preparation for coming major competitions, including the Asian Games.
“The competition was entered through her affiliated club, AS Monaco Athletisme, to gain experience and enhance training effectiveness,” the governing body said.
“Lui’s athlete registration with World Athletics remains under Hong Kong, China.”
The HKSI said the arrangement was consistent with international practice.
“Under international athletics norms, some competitions allow non-local athletes to compete through overseas clubs without any change in nationality,” the institute said. “The overseas training plan is intended to enhance Vera Lui’s performance and competitiveness, and the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates has been informed of the arrangement.”
The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China said it had not been involved in coordinating the event.
“The competition in question was not coordinated by the federation,” it said. “We have established a Code of Governance and relevant guidelines to provide practical direction for national sports associations, and expect full implementation across member bodies.”


Hong Kong hurdler Vera Lui under spotlight after winning Challenger event under Monaco flag

Hong Kong athletics boss says invited athletes don’t deserve to be called Olympians

Hong Kong hurdler Lui says she has nothing to prove at National Games, will race without pressure

World Athletics Championships: Hong Kong’s Vera Lui to fulfil dream after surprise call-up

Vera Lui Lai-yiu

Hong Kong hurdler Vera Lui with a Monaco flag draped around her after winning the 100m hurdles event at the meet in Monaco last month. Photo: Handout

Vera Lui says she still wants “to win honours for  Hong Kong in the future”. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Hong Kong sprinter Alton Kwok believes he is on track to achieve lofty goals

Alton Kwok in action in the men’s 100m sprint at the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships. Photo: Handout

Alton Kwok with his men’s 100m sprint silver medal at the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships. Photo: Handout

China’s Dai Hongyu won the men’s 100m sprint at the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong-raised Korean sprinter chases NCAA Division 1 finals dream at Harvard

Jun Chae-min anchored his team to a gold in the men’s 4x100 metres relay at the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships. Photo: Jun Chae-min

Jun Chae-min, here competing at the 2026 HKAAA pre-season athletics trial, moved to Hong Kong at the age of three. Photo: The HKAAA

Jun Chae-min (second from left) with his training partners Chan Yat-lok (left), Alton Kwok (third from left), Jasper Koo (fourth from left) and coach Ivan Ho (centre). Photo: Ada Li

Sport

Hong Kong

Other Sport

Asian Games bronze medallist wins 100m hurdles at European meet, says she complied with international rules, will never change nationality


Asian Games bronze medallist wins 100m hurdles at European meet, says she complied with international rules, will never change nationality.


World Athletics Championships

Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates

Hong Kong Athletics Championships

Hong Kong hurdler Vera Lui under spotlight after winning Challenger event under Monaco flag

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Asian Games bronze medallist wins 100m hurdles at European meet, says she complied with international rules, will never change nationality

Asian Games bronze medallist wins 100m hurdles at European meet, says she complied with international rules, will never change nationality