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On This Day | Hong Kong wins its second-ever Olympic medal at 2004 Athens Games – from the SCMP archive

  • Two decades ago, table tennis players Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching win silver in Athens and receive a heroes’ welcome upon their return to Hong Kong

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Silver medalists Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching of Hong Kong wave from the podium after the medal ceremony for the men’s doubles table tennis at the Athens Olympic Games on August 21, 2004. Photo: Reuters
SCMP

On this day in 2004, Hong Kong table tennis players Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching secured the city’s second-ever Olympic medal after winning silver in men’s doubles table tennis at the 2004 Athens Games. In the final, Li and Ko faced Ma Lin and Chen Qi of China.

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Through these newspaper clippings and pictures, we look at the Post’s coverage of the momentous achievement.

SCMP’s August 22, 2004 issue.
SCMP’s August 22, 2004 issue.
Ko Lai-chak (right) and Li Ching (left) on their way to winning the silver medal in the men’s doubles table tennis at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games on August 21, 2004. Photo: Reuters
Ko Lai-chak (right) and Li Ching (left) on their way to winning the silver medal in the men’s doubles table tennis at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games on August 21, 2004. Photo: Reuters
China’s Ma Lin (bottom left) celebrates with Chen Qi (bottom right) after defeating Hong Kong’s Ko Lai-chak (top left) and Li Ching (top right) 4-2. Photo: AP
China’s Ma Lin (bottom left) celebrates with Chen Qi (bottom right) after defeating Hong Kong’s Ko Lai-chak (top left) and Li Ching (top right) 4-2. Photo: AP
We tried hard, but they were too strong for us. But we are happy to win a medal.
Li Ching
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