For 21-year-old Choi Ki-ho, a member of Hong Kong's cycling squad in the upcoming Olympics, the road to the velodrome in London began with a leisurely stroll in the park.
He was 11 at the time, enjoying a day out with his family at a playground in Tsuen Wan, when they spotted a track outlined with red and white tape and orange safety cones on the concrete floor of the soccer pitch. It was his first encounter with a cycling competition: the All Future Cyclists Race, organised by Hong Kong Cycling Association to promote the sport among children aged from seven to 12.
Curious about the experience, he signed up.
Minutes later, he found himself astride a mountain bike with an oversized helmet strapped to his head, lined up at the starting line with a dozen other children. Some were proudly decked out in fancy jerseys, Lycra shorts and Gore-Tex gloves, other were nervously looking around to check out the competition. The young Choi, however, seemed untouched by the excitement, and simply waited quietly for the starting whistle.
Despite having no race experience except for challenging his father on the cycle path, he finished third in the four-lap race.
His parents were not overly impressed at the time. But now Choi Chun-wah, a construction company manager, and his wife, Chan Suk-yee, are looking forward to seeing their son compete against the world's best in the Men's Omnium event in London. A cycling version of the decathlon, it comprises six races over two consecutive days, starting on August 4.