Bus parade lets Hong Kong’s Olympic heroes drink in cheers as city welcomes them home
- Sports fans get up early, many with children in tow, to applaud athletes who racked up record-breaking medal tally
- But some complain buses moved too swiftly to get a proper glimpse, with many of the sports stars seated for much of the journey
The Games, which concluded earlier this month, were Hong Kong’s most successful yet and by a substantial margin, giving it one gold medal, two silvers and three bronzes. No previous Olympics had produced more than one medal for the city.
Outside the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom, a group of about 50 fans gathered to cheer on the athletes at the parade’s starting point.
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Hong Kong Olympic athletes welcomed back in homecoming parade
Hui Ka-man, a homemaker in her 40s, said she arrived at about 7am to get a good spot to see the athletes.
“I was very excited and couldn’t sleep last night. I worried there would be too many people, so I came early to stand closer to the front,” she said.
“I’m very proud of the Hong Kong athletes. I hope they do even better at the next Olympic Games. Hopefully the government will invest more in sports and to give our athletes more facilities to train.”
Tiffany Yeung, 10, said her favourite athlete was karateka Grace Lau Mo-sheung and that she hoped to take a selfie with her.