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The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and Hang Seng Bank today jointly hosted the Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (Scheme) Presentation Ceremony to present awards totalling HK$1.8 million to Hong Kong athletes who participated in the Games of XXX Olympiad in London.

Under the Scheme, cyclist Lee Wai-sze received HK$750,000 for her bronze medal win in the women’s keirin event - Hong Kong’s first Olympic cycling medal.

In recognition of the sporting excellence demonstrated by Hong Kong’s Olympic athletes, Hang Seng presented additional rewards of more than HK$1 million. Individual athletes and teams who placed between fourth and eighth in their events were awarded special cash incentives of HK$100,000 and HK$250,000 respectively and all 42 Hong Kong Olympic athletes received a Hang Seng ‘God of Wealth’ gold ingot.

Seven Hong Kong athletes were presented with a total of HK$700,000 in special incentive rewards from Hang Seng.  The recipients were badminton player Yip Pui-yin, the men’s table tennis team (Jiang Tianyi, Leung Chu-yan and Tang Peng), and the women’s table tennis team (Jiang Huajun, Lee Ho-ching and Tie Yana).  Jiang Tianyi also received an individual award for his performance in the men’s singles table tennis event.  The total value of the gold ingots presented to all Hong Kong Olympians was over HK$350,000.

Officiating guests at the ceremony included Mr Tsang Tak-sing GBS JP, Secretary for Home Affairs; Mr Timothy Fok GBS JP, President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC); Mr Carlson Tong JP, Chairman of the HKSI; and Ms Rose Lee, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank.

Mr Carlson Tong JP, Chairman of the HKSI, praised the excellent performances of Hong Kong athletes and was also deeply impressed by the performance of the younger athletes at their debut Olympic Games.  He said, “The Olympic Games has always been the pinnacle of elite sport competition and being a part of it is proof of one’s elite sport ability.  I commend all the athletes for their respectful sportsmanship and undaunted spirit.  They have set an excellent example for young people.  I would like to thank our partners, the Government, SF&OC, National Sports Associations, and a special thanks to Hang Seng Bank, for their long-term support to elite sport development.”

Ms Rose Lee, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank said, “Hong Kong Olympians have demonstrated the can-do spirit, at the same time fulfilling the ‘Inspire A Generation’ spirit of the London Olympics. Their performance has served to motivate and encourage our young people to persevere in overcoming challenges to attain their goals.”

Lee Wai-sze’s outstanding bronze medal win in the women’s keirin event is Hong Kong’s first medal for Olympic cycling and third-ever medal in any Olympic event following Lee Lai-shan’s gold medal triumph in windsurfing in 1996 and Li Ching and Ko Lai-chak’s silver medal win in table tennis in 2004.  Lee Wai-sze said, “I am pleased with my results in my debut Olympic Games, an international sporting arena where the athletes strive to fulfill their aspirations.  The atmosphere was great and I could feel the Olympic spirit everywhere.  Even though I did not have the best start in the first heat, I knew I could excel in the repechage and win the bronze medal.  This invaluable experience has definitely better equipped me for upcoming competitions.”

Initiated by the HKSI in 1994, the Scheme has been sponsored by Hang Seng since 1996.  The Scheme provides cash incentives to Hong Kong athletes who achieve outstanding performances at the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games and the National Games.  The Scheme was expanded in 2005 to include medallists at the East Asian Games and, in 2010, medallists at the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games, to further support the development of local sport.  

Including incentives to be awarded to Hong Kong medallists from the London Paralympic Games, the Scheme has given out over HK$30 million to Hong Kong athletes since 1996.

List of Incentives Presented to London 2012 Hong Kong Olympians (PDF)