Paris Olympics: Hong Kong triathlon hopeful Jason Ng down to wire in race for last Games spot with Kazakhstan’s Ayan Beisenbayev
- Beisenbayev kept out of the top three in Asia Cup event in China, ensuring Ng stays ahead
- Kazakh needs a podium place in final event in his home country next weekend to deny Ng a place in Paris
Hong Kong’s Olympic triathlon hopeful Jason Ng Tai-long remained ahead of his rival in the race for Paris, but only just, after failing to finish the Asia Cup event in Lianyungang, China on Saturday.
Ng was one of the three Hongkongers, alongside Robin Elg and Mark Yu Shing-him, with a “DNF” (Did Not Finish) next to his name, while Ayan Beisenbayev of Kazakhstan was just 26 seconds off the podium places, which were occupied by Chinese triathletes in Jiangsu province.
Beisenbayev and Ng are vying for the Games’ only “new flag” berth, reserved for the highest-ranked Asian nation or region not already represented in Paris. There is one race left for Beisenbayev to overtake the Hongkonger, on Beisenbayev’s home territory next Saturday.
“The China team gave us a lifeline by filling the podium,” Hong Kong head coach Andrew Wright said. “But next week it will mean the Kazakh has to get no points for us to qualify.
“It’s not the best day for the team, to be honest. We were visibly struggling, but as were all athletes who raced last weekend [in Taizhou].”
Elg helped Ng during the cycling leg and did not run. Ng and Yu ran 5km before dropping out. Luke Schofield, of Australia, who triumphed last week in Zhejiang, did not even make it to the start line.