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Swimming

Swimming
Given Hong Kong’s location it is hardly surprising swimming is a popular pastime in the city, and success on the world stage has followed in recent years. Double Olympic silver medallist and short course world-record holder Siobhan Haughey is the best of Hong Kong’s athletes in the pool.
Young participants in the 1978 New Year Winter Swimming Lifesaving Championships organised by the Hong Kong Life Guard Club, now called the Hong Kong Life Saving Society. Photo: SCMP Archives
From our archives

Hong Kong swimmers braving the cold on New Year’s Day, from the 1970s to 2000s

A perennial test of courage, the city’s New Year Winter Swimming Lifesaving Championships race celebrates its 50th year in 2026.

Singapore

Singapore’s athletes debate on funding after official’s ‘come to party’ review

International Swimming League

International Swimming League targets 2026 relaunch after Covid, war disruptions

Wellness

Why you should take up swimming after your retirement

Swimming takes pressure off joints, builds muscle strength and cardiovascular health, boosts mental health, and can improve your social life.

When compared with other low-impact activities like walking or cycling, swimming is a safer exercise for people who struggle with balance, works more muscle groups, and is something you can do all year round, one expert says. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

At 50, she became the first woman to swim around Hong Kong’s Lantau Island

Open water swimmer Edie Hu shares how 10 years of endurance training helped her swim the 65km circumnavigation and set another record.

Hong Kong has everything to be top spot for world’s open water swimmers: Edie Hu

With Hong Kong Island record falling days after marathon Lantau Island swim, Edie Hu thinks city could become a prime location for sport.

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Hong Kong society

Opinion | Sporting passion of Hongkongers is an inspiration

The enthusiasm of volunteers at the National Games, the energy of the city’s football fans and the dedication of unpaid coaches at the club level are truly impressive.

videocam
Fans erupt in the second half of Hong Kong men’s handball match against Beijing at the National Games at Kai Tak Arena on November 10. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong

Video | Victoria Harbour swim returns with thousands taking part

The 1km (0.62 mile) journey starts at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island and ends at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon.

2025 National Games

‘Definitely surreal’: Ian Ho reflects on winning historic 50m freestyle gold

Ho wins final that included China’s Olympic star Pan Zhanle, states that victory is “definitely surreal”.

2025 National Games

Ho gold is National Games first for Hong Kong’s men, Haughey into 2 more finals

Siobhan Haughey will have to swim two races in five minutes on Monday after reaching finals of 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.

Hong Kong’s Ian Ho set a city record to win the 50m freestyle final. Photo: Xinhua
2025 National Games

National Games: with 3 races to go, Zhang can already be crowned swimming king

The 18-year-old Shandong native has won 3 golds so far, leaving a couple of previous champs behind, and is only halfway through his programme.

Zhang Zhanshuo of Shandong celebrates after winning the 200m freestyle final at China’s 15th National Games in Shenzhen on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
2025 National Games

Haughey wins 100m freestyle gold to complete dominant National Games double

Hongkonger’s second gold makes her city’s first to top podium twice at a single edition, but she says she ‘didn’t have high expectations’.

2025 National Games

Haughey cruises into 100m final, coach ‘really excited’ for what comes next

Coach Tom Rushton has been pushing Siobhan Haughey for the past several years, says 200m freestyle gold was ‘one of her best swims’ ever.

2025 National Games

Siobhan Haughey says her best is yet to come after winning historic Games gold

Star claims city’s first swimming title at a National Games, and has three more events still to come in Shenzhen.

videocam
A delighted Siobhan Haughey doesn’t bother to hide her joy after winning the women’s 200m freestyle. Photo: Eugene Lee
2025 National Games

National Games: Siobhan Haughey seeks ‘progress’ in 200 metres freestyle final

She qualifies second fastest on Wednesday, while fellow Hongkonger Adam Mak squeezes into 50m breaststroke final.

Siobhan Haughey dives in for her 200m freestyle semi-final in Shenzhen on Wednesday. Photo: Eugene Lee
2025 National Games

National Games: will Pan Zhanle return to world-record form or end year in flop?

Paris Olympic champion and holder of 100m world record has had a disappointing year so far, but thrives on proving doubters wrong.

2025 National Games

National Games: the Hong Kong records that could fall at the athletics, swimming

Swimmer Adam Mak among those likely to rewrite the city’s record books, along with Olympian Siobhan Haughey and runner Kamran Khan.

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2025 National Games

Mental barriers needn’t hold Hongkongers back at National Games: ex-swimmer Kong

Now a mental health advocate who turned her competitive struggles into insight, she says key is ‘a balance between enjoyment and performing’.

Yvette Kong prepares to take part in the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge in West Kowloon Cultural District. Photo: Jonathan Wong
2025 National Games

Au weighs heavier torch against lighter responsibility in National Games relay

Olympian Stephanie Au takes third leg of torch relay and ponders her future with LA Games approaching.

Hong Kong Sports Institute

Asian Youth Games success hints at coming golden generation for Hong Kong

Swimmers add exclamation point to delegation’s historic performance in Bahrain, with medal tally highest ever.

Siobhan Haughey

Australian O’Callaghan shatters Siobhan Haughey’s 200m freestyle record

Australian pair Mollie O’Calaghan and Kaylee McKeown get post-Titmus era off to record-setting start at World Cup meet.

A shocked Mollie O’Callaghan reacts after setting a world record and winning the women’s 200m freestyle final at the World Cup event in Westmont. Photo: Getty Images
2025 National Games

Beyond Siobhan: Hong Kong’s best bets, China’s top threats at National Games

City’s main medal hope has barely competed this year, but there are other contenders who could spring a surprise against the mainland giants.

Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey after winning the 200m freestyle final at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest last December. Photo: EPA-EFE
2025 National Games

Profile | Siobhan Haughey’s rise to become golden girl of Hong Kong sport

Four-time Olympic medallist, five world championship titles, two Asian Games golds and a world record – will she shine at National Games?

Accidents and disasters in China

‘Do not swim’, Hong Kong Observatory says – but Tolo Harbour race goes ahead

Organiser denies thunderstorm warning was in place, after 600 swimmers take part despite flooding alert in Tai Po area.

12

French couple training for record-breaking swim across the Atlantic

Matthieu Witvoet and Chloe Leger Witvoet aim to swim 2,360 miles from Cape Verde to Guadeloupe.

French swimmers and ‘eco-adventurers’ Chloe Leger Witvoet (right) and Matthieu Witvoet are training for a three-month swim across the Atlantic. Photo: Reuters
International Swimming League

Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey could share in US$4.6 million legal settlement

World Aquatics is setting up fund to distribute to swimmers who signed contracts to compete in International Swimming League in 2018, 2019.

Siobhan Haughey in action for the DC Trident team in the International Swimming League competition at College Park in the US in November 2019. Photo: AP

Hong Kong relay team of 5 become first to swim across English Channel and back

Led by ex-national representative, they perform feat for ‘Wheel for Oneness’ initiative, which promotes inclusion for people with disabilities.

Editor's Letter

This week in PostMag: swimming holidays and cyborg cockroaches

Chinese-Peruvian cuisine in Lima, a Croatian getaway for those who like taking to the water, and remote-controlled cockroaches at Singapore Design Week.

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