Tokyo Olympics Rowing Champions Visit Hong Kong School, Inspire Students
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Zhang Ling and Chen Yunxia, the women's quadruple sculls champions from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, visited Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lo Kun Ting Memorial Secondary School in Hong Kong on September 23, 2026, sharing their journey to Olympic gold with local students. The Shanghai athletes delivered a personal career presentation titled "A Single Boat, Rowing Against the Current" using seven photographs to illustrate their struggles, including training hardships such as blistered hands, as well as the thrill of standing on the podium and setting a world best time at the Tokyo Games. Lu Lin, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Sports Bureau, attended the event and described it as a meaningful "hand-holding journey" between Shanghai and Hong Kong. Hong Kong students responded with enthusiasm, with one expressing hope that more mainland athletes would visit local campuses to spread the spirit of sports.
Key Points
- Zhang Ling and Chen Yunxia won the women's quadruple sculls at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, setting a world best time in the final
- The athletes presented their career journey using seven photographs, covering training hardships and Olympic triumph
- Lu Lin, Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Sports Bureau, described the event as a cross-regional "hand-holding journey"
- Student Wong Sihon expressed excitement about the rare visit and hopes for more mainland athlete exchanges at Hong Kong schools
- Chen Yunxia shared her story of relocating from Inner Mongolia to Shanghai for training, inspiring students with her determination
Why It Matters
The visit represents a significant step in sports exchange between mainland China and Hong Kong, using Olympic achievements as a bridge to foster closer ties among young people. The students' positive responses highlight the powerful role that elite athletes can play in inspiring youth to pursue excellence, while also demonstrating how shared sporting values can strengthen connections across regions.
The visit represents a significant step in sports exchange between mainland China and Hong Kong, using Olympic achievements as a bridge to foster closer ties among young people. The students' positive responses highlight the powerful role that elite athletes can play in inspiring youth to pursue excellence, while also demonstrating how shared sporting values can strengthen connections across regions.