The second day of the Chinese mainland Olympians’ visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was filled with joy and excitement as athletes engaged in interactive events with local residents on Friday.
Swimming gold medalists from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Qin Haiyang and Pan Zhanle, visited the disciplined services, sharing key techniques of breaststroke and freestyle swimming with Hong Kong teenagers. In an innovative approach, Qin used Mahjong tiles—a traditional Chinese game—to explain the arm movements in breaststroke, making the lesson both relatable and easy to grasp for the young swimmers.
Meanwhile, champion table tennis players from the Paris Games visited the Hong Kong Sports Institute, where they experienced various sports alongside local students. Wang Chuqin participated in an indoor rowing contest, while Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu teamed up to play squash.
Hong Kong teenagers seized the opportunity to challenge the world’s best in table tennis. Adding a twist to the game, Fan Zhendong and Ma Long swapped their regular paddles for a cooking pot lid and a spatula. Despite the unconventional equipment, the champions showcased their adaptability and skill, much to the delight of the audience.
“Hopefully you can feel our great respect and love for you,” said Chris Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Security of the HKSAR government, expressing the heartfelt sentiments of the residents towards the visiting athletes.
Reference(s):
Chinese mainland Olympians' visit to HKSAR continues to bear happiness
cgtn.com
