News

The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and Hang Seng Bank will present a HK$750,000 cash award to cyclist Lee Wai-sze who won the first Olympic cycling medal for Hong Kong at the Games of the XXX Olympiad (OG) held in London.

At the just concluded OG, Hong Kong sent a delegation of 42 athletes who participated in a record high of 13 sports.  Among the athletes, cyclist Lee Wai-sze finished third in the women’s keirin event (track race) in her debut OG. This result wins her a cash incentive of HK$750,000 through the Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (Scheme). The presentation will take place in September.

Mr Carlson Tong JP, Chairman of the HKSI, said the large number of athletes qualifying for the OG reflects the increasing competitiveness of local athletes.  Mr Tong also highly praised the exceptional performance of cyclist Lee Wai-sze and other athletes who had prepared so diligently to excel at the Games.  He said, “Lee showed her strong fighting spirit and determination which enabled her to win the repechage and finally bring home the third OG medal for Hong Kong.  I am also proud of the sportsmanship and ‘never-give-up’ spirit shown by all Hong Kong athletes.   They are excellent role models for young people.  A special thanks to the Government for its ongoing support and to our partners the National Sports Associations.  But I want to particularly acknowledge the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China whose highly professionalised support at the Olympic venue, under the Chef de Mission Ms Vivien Lau Chiang-chu BBS JP, ensured that all the elements required for Hong Kong athletes to succeed were in place.”

Organised by the HKSI since 1994, the Scheme provides cash awards to medal winners at Major Games. Hang Seng Bank began sponsoring the Scheme in 1996, providing additional cash incentives to local athletes who achieve outstanding performances at the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games and the National Games. It subsequently included winning athletes from the East Asian Games in 2005 and medallists from the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games in 2010 to further support the development of local sports. Together with the cash incentives provided to outstanding athletes at the London 2012 OG, the total cash incentives given under the Scheme amounted to over HK$ 27 million.