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Athletes return to a winners' welcome
Donald Tsang presents the team with certificates at a reception at the Cultural Centre on August 27.
Photo: Felix Wong
Hong Kong's Olympic athletes received a big welcome home on Wednesday when they were greeted by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen at a reception at the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.
"Although Hong Kong athletes did not win any medals at this Olympic Games, I, and all Hong Kong citizens, were touched by your determination to excel in this top sports event," he told the athletes.
Thirty-four athletes competed in 11 events and, although none made it to the medal podium, they did make their mark in Beijing.
The city's swimmers broke five Hong Kong records, while windsurfer Chan King-yin, who finished sixth overall, was ranked first among Asians. Medal hopeful Ko Lai-chak entered the quarter-finals in the table tennis men's singles after knocking out South Korea's Ryu Seung-min, the defending Olympic champion.
Mr Tsang said Hong Kong athletes had a "difficult task" and described their experience at the Beijing Olympics as a "mission impossible".
A roar of cheers and whistles greeted the athletes as they made their entrance at the ceremony, which included a Canto-pop performance and a rope-jumping show.
Cyclist Wong Kam-po said he was touched by the support from Hongkongers and mainlanders, saying it greatly motivated him.
Badminton player Yip Pui-yin recalled she was both excited and nervous during the Games, as Chinese fans roared whenever a Chinese player was in the match. "At the beginning, I was excited but also stressed because my hand was shaking a little bit," said Yip, who won silver at the 2006 Asian Games but lost in the first round in Beijing.
Mr Tsang said the government would continue to support the development of elite sports and collaborate with different sports organisations, athletes and researchers.
Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, president of the Hong Kong Olympic Committee, said that the reception for the athletes was a positive sign and that he hoped the government would put more resources into improving facilities and nurturing athletes.
He said that the Beijing Games provided a catalyst for change in sports policy which could further equip the city for upcoming international events including the East Asian Games next year.
He added that the government should also encourage Hongkongers to take part in different types of sports so as to diversify the city's competitiveness.