The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government hosted a welcome home ceremony at Ma On Shan Sports Centre today (October 18) to greet the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on their return from the Games.
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, officiated at the ceremony and presented certificates of commendation to the Hong Kong athletes in recognition of their perseverance and exemplary show of sportsmanship at the Games.
Mrs Lam said that the athletes with disabilities had devoted great effort and endured arduous training over the years in order to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The athletes' strong will and hard work in the competitions fully demonstrated their admirable sportsmanship and perseverance. The Government will continue to allocate more resources to promote the Hong Kong sports industry, benefitting athletes with disabilities and other athletes. Mrs Lam expressed the hope that these measures would nurture more elite athletes for Hong Kong to bring glory home in international competitions.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was held between August 24 and September 5 in Tokyo, Japan. A total of 24 Hong Kong athletes took part in eight competition events at the Games, namely archery, athletics, boccia, equestrian sport, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair fencing and badminton, which was a newly added sport in this Paralympic Games.
After fierce competition, the Hong Kong Delegation claimed a total of five medals at the Games, comprising two silver medals in the events of boccia and badminton and three bronze medals in the events of table tennis, boccia and badminton, with distinguished performances and perseverance. The commendable performances of the Hong Kong athletes fully demonstrated their strong will and exceptional talent. Their achievements also inspired other people with disabilities in Hong Kong.
Also greeting the athletes at today's ceremony were the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui; the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Joe Wong; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Ida Lee; the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong, Mr Kenichi Okada; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Wang Kai-bo; the Honorary President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (HKPC & SAPD), Dr York Chow; and the President of the HKPC & SAPD, Mrs Jenny Fung.
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