A delegation of Chinese Olympic athletes is paying a 3-day visit to Hong Kong. The sports stars will perform athletic demonstrations and take time out to personally greet their fans.
Guests pose for a group photo with members of a delegation of Chinese mainland Olympians during a banquet held by the government of Hong Kong special Administrative Region to welcome the delegation, in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 27, 2016.
A delegation of Chinese Olympic athletes is paying a 3-day visit to Hong Kong.
It is an all-star Olympic lineup… A 64-strong Olympic delegation, including all 42 Chinese gold medallists … badminton legend Lin Dan, popular swimmer Fu Yuanhui, and Asian-record-breaking sprinter Su Bingtian!
Just days after getting back from Rio, the all star athletes say they are happy to share their Olympic experiences with their fans in Hong Kong.
"Every athlete will experience a lot of pain and struggle. But when you win the gold medal, you feel like it was all worth it. I think that all athletes share this kind of persevering spirit," said Gong Jinjie, cyclist, Olympic gold medallist.
"I feel exhilated that so many people in Hong Kong like me. I never thought, even in my dreams, that an ordinary person like me could win the love of so many people. I like Hong Kong. It's a city full of fun, and I always wanted to come," said Fu Yuanhui, swimmer, Olympic bronze medallist.
Fu Yuanhui
The delegation’s schedule will be really tight during their three days in Hong Kong.
The athletes will perform demonstrations of table tennis and diving, and attend a variety show. Tickets for the three public events sold out within three hours of going on sale early this week. The visit has been making headlines in Hong Kong media throughout the week, and the public is particularly excited at the prospect of meeting athletes face to face.
"I’ve been looking forward to their visit. The athletes performed really well at the Games. They did a good job and won honor for our country. I love the women’s volleyball team the most. I hope I can see them," said a local resident.
A delegation of Chinese Olympic athletes is paying a 3-day visit to Hong Kong.
"I think this will be a good opportunity for exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong. I’ve been looking forward to the mainland Olympic champions visiting here. We will see them face to face, and feel the spirit of sportsmanship. And it will be a good chance to raise people’s awareness of public fitness," said another local resident.
"I saw the diving demonstrations when the Olympic champions came to Hong Kong for the first time-- more than ten years ago. I am really happy that our Chinese athletes did a good job at this year’s Olympics," said a local resident.
The Olympic delegation will also visit an elderly care home, meet children from grassroots families and chat with teenagers. Chinese mainland Olympic champions have been conducting these kinds of exchanges with Hong Kong and Macao since 2004. It's become something like a sports tradition, held every four years, between the mainland and hong Kong and Macao.
