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SEPTEMBER 8 , 2000 VOL. 26 NO. 35 | SEARCH ASIAWEEK
By DAN WOODLEY Hong Kong One look at Hong Kong explains the territory's Olympic dilemma. Recreational space is at a premium, with public facilities always crowded. But there's plenty of room on the water. So it comes as no surprise that the territory's sole Olympic medal, in 1996, was achieved in windsurfing, where Lee Lai-shan won the gold in the women's Mistral class. Four years later, San San, as she is popularly known, will be going for gold again. But it will be more difficult this time. The Games organizers have changed the format, with competition taking place over three courses, rather than one, with varying conditions. Still, Lee's manager, Edgar Ling Wai-man, says Hong Kong's hopes will be on that board with San San. "I think she is probably the only medal chance," he says. Cyclist Wong Kam-po probably wouldn't agree. As the winner earlier this year of the Tour of the Philippines and gold medallist in the 1998 Asian Games, he believes he can at least put the heat on his more fancied international rivals. Wong, who excels as a road-racer, will be competing in a track event, the 40-km point race. Other top names among Hong Kong's 30 athletes: 5,000-meter runner Maggie Chan, swimmers Mark Kwok Kin-min and Sherry Tsai Hiu-wai, and single sculler Fenella Ng Gar-loc — who will carry the territory's flag at the opening ceremony. In a bid to encourage winning performances in Sydney, the Hong Kong Sports Development Board, in conjunction with Hang Seng Bank, is offering hefty financial rewards. These include $128,000 for a gold, $96,000 for a silver and $32,000 for a bronze. But it's going to take a lot more than cash rewards every four years to raise Hong Kong from its status as an international sporting minnow. Part of the problem, says manager Ling, is public attitudes to sport. "Professional athletes don't make much money," he says. "That's a concern for parents, and it's reflected in perhaps a lack of emphasis on sport in schools. You know, some former football stars are having to drive taxis to make ends meet." So it seems that until the SAR — which will be competing as part of China but with its own flag — affords sport the kind of space, money and respect conferred upon it in leading sporting countries, there will be very few San Sans in the future — on land or water. Write to Asiaweek at mail@web.asiaweek.com
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