Paris Olympics: Vivian Kong’s historic gold sparks day of celebration in Hong Kong
- Chief Executive John Lee voices Hongkongers’ gratitude, while triumph helps bring the Games’ expected boost to the city’s economy
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Fencer Vivian Kong wins Hong Kong’s 1st gold medal at Paris Olympics
Vivian Kong Man-wai joined an elite group of the city’s athletes by channelling what she called the “Hong Kong spirit” in a performance of determination, perseverance and mental strength.
Kong’s gold in the women’s épée fencing was just the third ever claimed by the city at an Olympics, and ensured the delegation won a medal in successive Summer Games for the first time.
The landmark victory places her alongside 1996 gold medal-winning windsurfer Lee Lai-shan, and Cheung Ka-long, her fellow fencer who secured gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Her display was all the more remarkable for its unexpected nature. Trailing badly in front of a noisy home crowd and French President Emmanuel Macron, Kong recovered to win 13-12 in sudden death.
“I didn’t want to lose so badly,” Kong said when asked how she recovered from 7-1 down. “I didn’t want to give up without showing the Hong Kong spirit.”
