SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Comeback of some sports events marks return to normal life

While the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament has been postponed yet again, the cross-harbour swim and cyclothon are going ahead, albeit with stringent health control measures

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Participants in the 2021 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: May Tse

SCMP Editorial

Published: 10:45am, 21 Nov 2021

Unlike some places that are reintroducing lockdowns in the wake of a resurgence in Covid-19 infections, Hong Kong is fortunate enough to bring back some larger events that have been sorely missed by their supporters. But the city’s stringent measures means not all spectacles can return. Caution and vigilance must prevail as we strive to get back to normal amid a volatile global pandemic.

Rugby fans are understandably disappointed that the Hong Kong Sevens, one of the most popular events on the sports calendar, will be postponed for the fifth time until November next year. The good news is that the cross-harbour swimming race and the Hong Kong Cyclothon will be back in the next two months after a two-year hiatus caused by the social unrest and the epidemic.

The return of the two events would not have been possible without the city’s concerted efforts in keeping the epidemic under control. It comes after the Hong Kong Marathon concluded smoothly last month under a series of health control measures. As long as there is adequate precaution and supervision, there is no reason more mega events cannot be resumed.

The 1,500 participants in the swim on December 12 are required to be fully vaccinated and test negative within 48 hours before the race. They must also check in with the government tracing app and can only take off their mask when they are in the water. Similar rules are also in place for the January cycling competition, whose quota is limited to only 3,000.

Stringent as they are, the measures help reduce the health risks and enable emergency responses in the event of an outbreak. Those who come forward are to be rewarded with a new experience. Swimmers will try out the new route from Golden Bauhinia Square public pier in Wan Chai to the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. Cyclists can enjoy the panorama while competing along the local section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, one of the world’s longest sea crossings.

The events are probably no match to the Hong Kong Sevens in terms of international appeal and spectatorship. What set them apart are the uncertainties facing the rugby tournament, which has to take into account the tight quarantine arrangements for overseas teams and visitors as well as the health risks arising from larger crowd gatherings. That is why the signature spectacle cannot afford to go ahead in April as previously planned.