Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey wins silver medal at Tokyo Olympics

July 2021
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Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey has won a silver medal in the the women’s 200m freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics.

Silver medallist Hong Kong’s Haughey Siobhan Bernadette poses with her medal on the podium after the final of the women’s 200m freestyle swimming event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on July 28, 2021. Photo: Odd Andersen/AFP.

Haughey – who will be turning 24 in October – is the first Hong Kong swimmer to win an Olympic medal.

She was narrowly beaten by Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus who scored a new Olympic record time of 1:53.50. Titmus also won gold at the women’s 400m freestyle event.

Hong Kong’s Haughey Siobhan Bernadette reacts after coming in second in the final of the women’s 200m freestyle swimming event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on July 28, 2021. Photo: Odd Andersen/AFP.

Hong Kong’s Haughey came in at 1:53.92, with Canada’s Penny Oleksiak taking home bronze at 1:54.70.

An underwater view shows Hong Kong’s Haughey Siobhan Bernadette competing in the final of the women’s 200m freestyle swimming event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on July 28, 2021. Photo: François-Xavier Marit/AFP.

It is the first time Hong Kong has taken home more than one medal at the Olympics.

Siobhan Haughey wins silver at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.

On Monday, Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long made history for the city by clinching a gold medal at the men’s foil individual event.

Hong Kong’s Haughey Siobhan Bernadette competes in the final of the women’s 200m freestyle swimming event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on July 28, 2021. Photo: Odd Andersen/AFP.

Haughey – who is half Irish, broke her personal best record in the finals – thanked her coaches and her family. She said she hoped athletes watching at home can continue training as “it’ll be them next.”

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Haughey attended school in the city until she went to the US to attend the University of Michigan.

Siobhan Haughey wins silver at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.

She is the record holder of multiple Hong Kong and Asia swimming records, her first Olympics was the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics.

Siobhan Haughey wins silver at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.

Close to 100 people gathered at APM, a mall in Kwun Tong, to watch the game. They cheered on for Haughey and clapped every time she was in the lead.

Siobhan Haughey (far right) wins silver at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.

Ms. Fung, who was also at the mall, told HKFP that she was elated about Haughey’s win: “I hope that they [Hong Kong athletes] can continue their efforts, it’ll best if they can win gold medals, but silver medals are fine too.”