With the closing of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games today (August 11, Paris time), the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, concluded the performance of the Hong Kong, China Delegation by expressing his heartfelt congratulations to the athletes on their historic achievements and his gratitude to all sectors of the community for the strong support to the athletes.
"Hong Kong athletes have demonstrated their extraordinary capability at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and achieved historic results by capturing two gold medals and two bronze medals in four sports events. It was the first time that Hong Kong has won more than one gold medal at the same Olympic Games. Every Hong Kong athlete has given their utmost and unleashed their full potential in the Olympic arena. In spite of the results, all athletes have fully exhibited their determination, perseverance and will, demonstrating their professional attitude and sportsmanship. The people of Hong Kong and I are deeply inspired and moved. The people of Hong Kong are proud of the high level of performance shown by Hong Kong athletes, and each and every one of them is a hero in our hearts.
"The outstanding performance of Hong Kong athletes at this year's Olympic Games was thanks not only to their own efforts, but also to the dedication and meticulous training efforts of coaches and support teams, as well as the support of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and various national sports associations. I recognise and appreciate their contributions. I also thank the local universities and research and development teams for their scientific research achievements which have helped to enhance the performance of athletes," Mr Lee said.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government secured the broadcasting rights of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Hong Kong. Three local licensed television broadcasters and Radio Television Hong Kong have been broadcasting the Games in accordance with government requirements. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department also set up various Olympics Focal Sites in 18 districts to allow members of the public to watch the exciting events for free. Major shopping malls and buildings have also set up screens to broadcast the competitions, enabling members of the public to experience the excitement of this spectacular sports event, and cheer for the national team and Hong Kong athletes.
The HKSAR Government has been proactively allocating resources to develop elite sports in the past decade or so to ensure the provision of the best training facilities for athletes by setting up the Elite Athletes Development Fund to secure sufficient financial resources for the HKSI to meet the needs of athletes in various aspects and enhance the remuneration of elite athletes; providing scholarships and learning support for elite athletes' dual career development in sports and academics; and improving retirement arrangements for athletes including retirement cash incentives and comprehensive employment support. In addition, the Government will continue to provide more sports facilities, including converting an existing sports centre into a dedicated venue for fencing training and competitions, and expediting the study on the construction of an arena with fencing training and competition facilities as well as a swimming pool suitable for hosting international competitions. The Kai Tak Sports Park, the largest sports infrastructure project in Hong Kong's history, will open in the first half of 2025 and support Hong Kong's sports development in a more comprehensive manner.
In the year of 2024-25, the Government's annual funding for the HKSI, through the Elite Athletes Development Fund, amounted to $941.6 million, representing an increase of about 40 per cent over five years ago (the year of 2019-20). The Government's estimated expenditure on sports development in 2024-25 is around $7.9 billion, which has more than doubled compared to a decade ago. The focus of promotion is in five aspects, namely to promote sports in the community, support elite sports, promote Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, promote professionalism in the sports sector and foster the development of sports as an industry. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau has set aside funds under the Arts and Sport Development Fund (Sports Portion) to support athletes' preparation for and participation in international sports events like the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
"Over the past two weeks, the people of Hong Kong have been fully engaged in various events of the Olympic Games, cheering for athletes at home, Olympics Focal Sites and shopping malls with solidarity. The good performance of athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games has injected new impetus to Hong Kong's sports development and encouraged more enterprises and members of the public to support Hong Kong athletes, creating a positive social atmosphere and motivating more people to exercise. The HKSAR Government will continue to support sports development in Hong Kong in terms of policy, facilities and resources.
"A number of important sports events will take place shortly, including the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games in late August, as well as the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games to be cohosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao towards the end of next year. I am confident that various sectors will continue to support Hong Kong athletes to shine in the competitions, demonstrating the indomitable spirit of Hong Kong," Mr Lee said.
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