National Games: Hong Kong rowers fall short of medals but get a surprise visitor
Both Chiu Hin-chun and Winne Hung finish outside podium spots in their lightweight single sculls events, but receive ‘encouraging words’
A surprise guest was at the Guangdong International Rowing Centre on Monday morning as Hong Kong’s Chiu Hin-chun and Winne Hung Wing-yan both fell just short of earning National Games medals.
The city’s rowers each finished fifth in their respective lightweight single sculls finals before Thomas Bach, former president of the International Olympic Committee and a former Olympic gold medallist, showed up for a guided tour at the venue and greeted the athletes.
“The former IOC president swung by and cheered for us, he said a lot of encouraging words,” Asian Championship winner Hung said. “He’s very supportive of the sport of rowing, and I appreciated him doing so.
“He even invited me to watch the rugby sevens – I wish I could go.”
Rugby sevens, one of the eight sports Hong Kong is hosting for the National Games, begins at Kai Tak Stadium on Wednesday.
On the water, Chiu crossed the line in five minutes and 6.19 seconds, almost seven seconds behind winner Gu Jiantao of Sichuan, who was the only one of the six finalists to dip below five minutes, finishing in 4:59.39.