Tokyo Olympics: Hong Kong’s greatest Games ever brings joy unmatched to city and its athletes
- Cyclist Sarah Lee caps memorable two weeks with bronze in women’s sprint
- Disappointment despite her success speaks volumes for what was achieved
Putting the exclamation mark on the best performance in the city’s history, that Lee’s win was tinged with disappointment at what might have been spoke volumes for what was achieved – and desired even more – compared with the sober, modest predictions beforehand.
That the next Games in Paris are just three years away means there is already a weight of expectation building, and elite sport in Hong Kong has gained a prominence it long struggled to obtain.
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Hong Kong cyclist Sarah Lee claims bronze at Tokyo Olympics, as US tops China in medal tally
Success for China looks a little different than it might have done. The haul of 38 gold medals, won by the largest delegation it has ever sent to the Games, far surpasses the 26 from Rio and equals its best showing at an overseas Olympics. It is surely cause for pride.
An official statement said the haul showcased “the leadership of the party and integrated strength of the nation”, but the fact China led the table from the very first day until the final hours before being passed by the United States, which finished with 39 golds, will still sting.
Attention now turns to the Winter Games in Beijing in six months, and there are bound to be lessons learned from Japan, which has walked a tightrope over the past 18 months.
