Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday morning presented the regional flag to the SAR delegation to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The multi-sports meeting will be held from Sept 19 to Oct 4 in Japan’s Aichi prefecture. The SAR delegation musters 800 members, including 580 athletes competing across 38 sports.
Addressing the flag presentation ceremony, Lee highlighted the significance of the games and praised the historic achievements of Hong Kong athletes at previous editions, notably the record-breaking performance at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, when the team secured eight gold, 16 silver, and 29 bronze medals.
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Lee said he was confident that the SAR team would carry forward the fighting spirit displayed at last year’s National Games, which was co-hosted by Guangdong province and the Hong Kong and Macao SARs.
“I believe our athletes will give their all on the Asian stage, striving for excellence and bringing more glory to both the country and the SAR,” he said.
Lee also emphasized that the value of sports extends far beyond the medal tally. He described the determination and resilience of Hong Kong athletes as the “best portrayal of the Hong Kong spirit”.
“The [athletes’] performance can transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries, showcasing the city’s confidence and soft power to the world, and helping to tell the good stories of China and Hong Kong SAR,” Lee added.
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He also acknowledged the collective effort behind the team’s success, adding that the HKSAR government will consistently increase support for athlete development.
“I wish our athletes the courage to surpass their limits, break through boundaries, and create their own legendary moments,” Lee said.
Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, also addressed the gathering. He said he believed that the athletes will give their all on the field, learning from their rivals and improving together throughout the competition.
Noting that this year's edition will be held across several cities, Fok said that the SAR’s Olympic Committee organization, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, will leverage its decades of experience to actively coordinate with all relevant parties, ensuring every detail of the athletes’ journey is meticulously handled, allowing them to focus entirely on their performances without any off-field distractions.
Contact the writer at: stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com
