The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) hosted a New Year Luncheon at its new Main Building on 14 February, where 100 guests from the National Sports Associations, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, the Government, as well as sponsors and partners, were invited to celebrate the Chinese New Year. During the luncheon, HKSI Chief Executive Dr Trisha Leahy expressed her gratitude for the concerted effort made by all parties over the past year in promoting elite sports development in Hong Kong, and looked forward to continual cooperation with all sectors to facilitate athletes’ preparation for the forthcoming Incheon Asian Games and Asian Para Games in September and October.

Jointly organised by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) and the HKSI, the opening ceremony of the 2014 Olympism Camp was held on 11 February at the Tai Tam Scout Centre, Tai Tam Road. Officiating guests included Mr Jonathan McKinley JP, Deputy Secretary (Recreation and Sport) of Home Affairs Bureau, Dr Trisha Leahy, Chief Executive of HKSI, and Professor Leung Mee-lee, Hon Deputy Secretary General of SF&OC and Director of Studies of Hong Kong Olympic Academy.

Professor Leung expressed that the Olympism Camp provides a valuable opportunity in a camp environment for elite athletes to experience the value of Olympism and professionalism by presenting the Olympic motto “Citius, Altius and Fortius” in their athletic life. Through the education of Olympism and Olympic values, athletes will not only enhance their self-being, sense of identity through their status as an elite athlete, but also positively influence friends,family and the community.

The three-day residential camp took place from 11-13 February, attracting 30 serving athletes from 12 elite sports to participate. The participating athletes were informed of Hong Kong’s sports structure and received information about sports nutrition and psychology, anti-doping, media relation through various lectures, games and presentations. In addition, athletes learnt about the core values of Olympism including “Excellence, Respect and Friendship” through tailor-made team-building activities.

Over 300 participants including athletes, coaches and guests attended the 2014 HKSI Athlete Annual Party, which was held on 21 March at Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Sha Tin. The party is an annual function for HKSI Scholarship Athletes aiming to provide a social platform to support their personal-social development. Building on a theme of “New Scenes of HKSI”, athletes demonstrated their other talents in a variety of activities, such as designing the souvenir programme, playing games, singing and guitar performances.

Mr Jason Yeung Chi-wai, Deputy Chief Executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong), visited the HKSI on 20 February. Accompanied by the HKSI’s Chief Executive Dr Trisha Leahy and senior management, Mr Yeung toured the elite training and support service facilities on the premises, gaining a better understanding of the elite sport development and athletes’ training in Hong Kong.

Gymnast Angel Wong Hiu-ying was invited to attend Sun Life Financial’s annual dinner on 28 February, where she shared her keys to success with 600 staff members. She inspired the audience with her story of creating a new balance beam mount at the London 2012 Olympics, which was named after her as the “Wong Hiu Ying Angel Mount” by the International Gymnastics Federation, and encouraged them to make changes and look beyond their limits to a new horizon.