Cheers, praise and promises as Hong Kong Olympic heroes welcomed home – as it happened
- Public does not allow poor weather to rain on their parade as they cheer Olympic delegation on bus-ride ovation from Sha Tin to Tamar Park
Hong Kong’s Olympic delegation gathered on Wednesday for the first time since the Paris Games to celebrate their historic performance with the public.
The athletes greeted fans during an open-top bus parade, taking in various locations across the city, including Tai Wai station in the New Territories, Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon and Central on Hong Kong Island, and then held a sharing session with students.
At a reception at government headquarters in the afternoon, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu praised the athletes’ “can-do” spirit and professionalism on the international stage, describing them as “heroes” for Hongkongers.
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Excited crowds greet Hong Kong’s Olympic heroes, rain fails to put a damper on parade
Among those taking part was gold medal-winning fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai, who recalled the sudden-death tiebreaker in her epic final match in Paris. The athletes also received a certificate of commendation from the city leader.
In Beijing, President Xi Jinping met mainland China’s Olympic heroes at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday, telling them they had “won glory for the country and people”.
Follow the Post’s coverage on the Hong Kong Olympians, who returned to the city with two gold medals and two bronze ones.
Reporting by Sammy Heung, Fiona Sun, Harvey Kong, Angeline Jiang and Edith Lin.
