Lee said the visit fully reflected the importance and care the central government attached to Hong Kong and he hoped the delegation – fresh from winning 91 medals including 40 golds at the Paris Olympics – would feel at home during the trip.
“The outstanding result at the Games was the embodiment of the progress of the national sports industry and an epitome of China’s modernisation achievements, it fully demonstrates the strength of our country in the new era,” he said.
The chief executive also highlighted the achievements of the Hong Kong athletes, who brought home two gold and two bronze medals from Paris, a record-breaking tally for the city.
Lee said Hong Kong being chosen as a co-host of the National Games next year showed the central government’s recognition and trust.
“We will strive to put on high-quality National Games by working with Macau and the Guangdong provincial government,” he said.
Earlier, hundreds of excited fans waited outside the InterContinental Grand Stanford hotel under a baking sun hours before the delegation arrived, with some bringing souvenirs for the athletes and hoping to get selfies with them.
During an about 30-minute meeting with the press at the hotel, the athletes shared their excitement at being in the city, as well as offering encouragement.
Don’t be afraid to work hard. Don’t be afraid of getting tired
“If you are interested [in something], then pursue it. Don’t be afraid of failure,” said 17-year-old Quan, holder of three diving gold medals in total from the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.
Swimmer Pan Zhanle, champion in the men’s 100m freestyle in Paris, added to earlier remarks expressing hope Hong Kong children strived for the glory of China.
“Don’t be afraid to work hard. Don’t be afraid of getting tired,” he said.
Table tennis legend Ma Long, visiting Hong Kong for the fourth time in his 12-year Olympic journey, noted the current trip was very different from the previous one in 2021, when the world was in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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China’s Olympic athletes begin three-day visit to Hong Kong
China’s Olympic athletes begin three-day visit to Hong Kong
“It was touching to see the city and the residents welcome us under the relatively special environment last time,” Ma said.
“I hope there are more chances to interact with teenage friends this time. I think it must be a special memory in my sports career.”
Delegation leader Gao Zhidan, director of the General Administration of Sport of China, said the athletes would share their journey and Chinese sporting spirit during their visit to repay Hongkongers for their support.
Gao said he hoped the visit would foster closer collaboration between young people from Hong Kong and the mainland, stressing that the sports sectors on both sides of the border had maintained close ties.
The mainland team’s performance in Paris was its best ever for overseas Olympics.
The Olympic delegation’s visit is the seventh arranged by the central government since the city’s return to Chinese rule in 1997.
Fans outside the hotel waved at the stars, held banners and took photos with their mobile phones, with some hoping to pass on gifts to their favourite athletes or get their autographs.
“I really look forward to her coming over, accepting my gifts, and taking photos with me,” said pupil Xu Yat-sum, who had brought along stuffed toys for Quan.
Connie Guan, 15, travelled from Guangzhou to meet her idols, bringing photos and a table tennis paddle for autographs.
“I can bear the heat. I won’t leave until I see Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha,” she said, referring to the table tennis mixed doubles gold medallists.
Another busy day awaits the delegation on Friday. The athletes will visit landmarks such as The Peak and Victoria Harbour, meet members of the public, staff from the disciplined forces, students and local athletes, and participate in sports demonstrations.
They are due to leave the city on Saturday for Macau.
Additional reporting by Lars Hamer, Jiang Chuqin and Emily Hung
