Hong Kong cyclist Sarah Lee has won bronze in women’s sprint at the Tokyo Olympics, beating Germany’s Emma Hinze.
She brings home the city’s sixth medal at the 2020 Tokyo games.
Sunday’s victory marks the 34-year-old’s second-ever Olympic medal, after winning bronze in the women’s keirin at the 2012 London Olympics.
Speaking to the press after the race, Lee thanked her family. She said she was grateful that they did not push to see her during the pandemic, as the cyclist was not allowed to go out during training amid Covid-19 restrictions.
Lee, who lost in the women’s keirin on Thursday, said that she regretted making a wrong move in the earlier match, but credited her victory on Sunday to learning how to “let go.”
She also thanked her crew and teammates, who she said gave her a lot of confidence, and had been by her side during difficult times: “I have learned how to take care of myself during the Games; in the past I have been busy with many other things.”
“During these two weeks, I often tell myself that I have to love myself more, so that I will have the energy to move forward, as it turns out, I can become the person I love the most,” Lee added.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam congratulated Lee in a press release on Sunday: “”Lee Wai-sze is the first Hong Kong athlete who has won medals at two Olympic Games. She has demonstrated that her competence and determination have passed the test of time, and she has become a Hong Kong legend with her brilliant results. All Hong Kong people are overjoyed at her achievements.”
Kelsey Mitchell of Canada won gold, whilst Ukraine’s Olena Starikova took home silver.
Additional reporting: Tom Grundy.
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