Hong Kong fencers on Tuesday pledged to do their best at the Paris Olympics, following the city’s sports chief’s call for residents to cheer for the city’s athletes when their events are broadcast for free.

Four Hong Kong athletes — foil fencers Edgar Cheung Ka-long and Daphne Chan Nok-sze, as well as epee fencers Vivian Kong Man-wai and Ho Wai-hang — will represent the city at the forthcoming summer Olympics’ fencing competition. The four are longstanding sports successes, and are well-known in Hong Kong.

Embarking on his third Olympics journey, Cheung said that he understands the Olympics spirit, with emphasis on the need to “focus on yourself”, and he pledged to do his best, adding that he has become more mature compared with how he was in Tokyo

At a media session at the Hong Kong Sports Institute on Tuesday, Cheung — who won the men’s foil fencing competition at the Tokyo Olympics, and who won the gold medal at Foil Grand Prix 2024 in Shanghai this month — said that his recent achievements have given him more confidence, and that he hopes to do well in Paris.

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Embarking on his third Olympics journey, Cheung said that he understands the Olympics spirit, with emphasis on the need to “focus on yourself”, and he pledged to do his best, adding that he has become more mature compared with how he was in Tokyo.

Cheung, who ranks second in the foil ranking of the International Fencing Federation, said it is regrettable that Hong Kong’s men’s foil team did not secure a ticket to Paris, and he hopes that the team will have better luck in four years’ time.

Kong, the top female epee player in the IFF’s ranking, said she was grateful to her teammates and her coach as they have enabled her to love the sport, adding that she hopes to perform well at the Olympics.

Marking her third Olympics appearance, Kong said she feels no pressure over medals. Instead, she cares more about the progress achieved during the training process.

“I hope our competition can encourage more people to do sports and bring unity and positive energy to the community,” Kong added.

Chan and Ho will make their Olympic debut in Paris. They both said they feel a sense of anticipation, excitement and a little nervousness about competing in the event. Chan said that getting used to the environment in Paris could be a challenge, but added that she does not feel under a lot of pressure.

On Monday, Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, visited the Hong Kong Sports Institute to learn about the athletes' preparations for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics

Ho, who pocketed a bronze medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, said his goal is to advance to quarterfinals.

On Monday, Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, visited the Hong Kong Sports Institute to learn about the athletes' preparations for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.

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Yeung encouraged the athletes to interact with the athletes from other delegations, thereby demonstrating their sportsmanship, and to share news about the positive situation in Hong Kong.

He said that three local commercial TV stations and the public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong will broadcast the Olympics and Paralympics for free, as the government has procured relevant broadcasting rights. He said he hopes this will encourage residents to watch the Games and support the city’s and the nation’s athletes.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to Aug 11, and the Paralympic Games will be held from Aug 28 to Sept 8.

Contact the writer at atlashao@chinadailyhk.com