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Mike Chan

Hong Kong’s cycling association could be ordered to reopen an inquiry regarding last year’s Paris Olympics after a renewed accusation about its selection of riders, a source has told the Post.
A complaint last October to the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) – subsequently investigated, with the findings leaked to media – claimed that an official at the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China (CAHK) tried to manipulate selection when Hong Kong was allocated an extra Games place in the women’s road time trial.
International rules required those taking part in the time trial to also compete in at least one other event. It was claimed that an official suggested star rider Ceci Lee Sze-wing relinquish her spot in the road race, allowing Chloe Leung Wing-yee to be selected for both road race and time trial.
Leung could then drop out of the road race citing illness to allow Lee, the better road racer, to step in as backup and reclaim her intended spot while Leung rode in the time trial, giving Hong Kong the extra rider over the two races, according to the leaked report.
Lee, who besides the road race was riding in the omnium in the velodrome, wished to compete only in those, not the time trial, according to a report by CAHK honorary secretary general Simon Leung Chi-wa to the executive committee on December 18.

The alleged proposal was never carried out, after failing to gain enough support when the executive committee voted on it. Still, an anonymous complaint was made to the SF&OC, which told the CAHK to set up an “independent investigation committee”.
The investigation panel comprised CAHK honorary president Herman Hu Shao-ming, CAHK honorary legal adviser Vitus Leung Wing-hang and former Hong Kong cyclist Yeung Ying-hon. They concluded there was sufficient evidence that an executive committee member – not on behalf of the CAHK – proposed a cyclist drop out of the Paris road race and a backup replace her.
But the report, submitted to the SF&OC in April and seen by the Post, did not recommend any disciplinary measures.
Hu has since said on a radio programme that the investigation looked for evidence of procedural irregularity or overstepping authority, and found no wrongdoing. Fellow panel member Yeung said it was not uncommon for teams to make such arrangements to bring in a “backup” rider in international competitions.
However, another anonymous complaint was made via local media on Thursday.
The investigation report was initially accepted by the SF&OC, but with the incident attracting extensive media coverage, it made a statement on Thursday ordering the CAHK to “provide more information and explanation … to clarify the facts and the basis for its ruling”.
On Friday, the CAHK published a statement, apologising for any misunderstanding caused by “time constraints and insufficient communication during the selection process”, and vowing to “work with the SF&OC to determine relevant follow-up matters”.
An SF&OC source told the Post it may be necessary to restart the investigation if the explanation were to be inadequate, adding it had to answer to the SF&OC as well as to the government’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.
Alex Wong Chi-yu, a former administrative director of the association, suggested an internal power struggle was behind the saga.
“What happened in the meeting was used to make a big fuss; it’s not really about the discussion of stance or moral standards,” he said, adding it was “irresponsible” of someone to hand confidential documents to the media.
The Post requested comment from Herve Dagorne, the city’s head coach, who oversaw the races in Paris. Lee finished 64th in the road race and 19th in the omnium.
“I’ve submitted my report about the Olympic Games to the [investigation],” the Frenchman said. “As an employee of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, I won’t be commenting on matters related to CAHK.”
Additional reporting by Paul McNamara


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After association ruled out wrongdoing, anonymous complaint to media maintains there was a plan to gain extra Games spot


After association ruled out wrongdoing, anonymous complaint to media maintains there was a plan to gain extra Games spot.


Ceci Lee Sze-wing

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong cycling body could be told to reopen Paris Olympics selection probe

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}After association ruled out wrongdoing, anonymous complaint to media maintains there was a plan to gain extra Games spot

After association ruled out wrongdoing, anonymous complaint to media maintains there was a plan to gain extra Games spot