Hong Kong’s top officials congratulated swimmer Siobhan Haughey for her historic Olympic win on Wednesday morning, as a press release hailed her victory as “a glorious new chapter for Hong Kong swimming.”
Haughey, 23, won silver for the 200m freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, becoming the first swimmer representing Hong Kong to bring home a medal for the sport.
“Haughey has fully demonstrated great skill and perseverance to stay ahead of competitors, achieving an excellent result for Hong Kong. She has brought glory to the city and has made me and Hong Kong people proud,” Chief Executive Carrie Lam said.
The swimmer won the second medal for Hong Kong in the Tokyo Olympics, after fencer Edgar Cheung won gold for the men’s individual foil on Monday.
Her win marked the first time Hong Kong has won more than one medal during the games.
“Her spirit of striving for continued improvement is both admirable and worthy of emulation,” Legislative Council President Andrew Leung said in a statement.
Broken records
Bernard Chan, convenor of the non-official members of the Executive Council, also praised Haughey for breaking previous records.
“In addition to winning the first-ever Olympic swimming medal for Hong Kong, she also broke both the Asian and Hong Kong records… Her result is testimony to the capability of Hong Kong athletes and makes all Hong Kong people proud,” he said.
Haughey’s swim time of 1:53.92 broke both the Asia record and her own personal best.
“I hope Cheung Ka-long’s and my performances this Olympics can push fellow Hong Kong athletes competing, they can add oil. And also the athletes watching at home in Hong Kong. Keep training, because it will be your turn soon,” Haughey said according to RTHK.
She will compete again in the 100 metre freestyle heats on Wednesday evening and the 50 metre freestyle heats on Friday.
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