(Paris 2024) Edgar Cheung bags at least HK$9m bonus after Olympic victory

30-07-2024 10:31 HKT

Hong Kong's top fencer, Edgar Cheung Ka-long, will be walking away from the Paris Olympics not only with his gold medal in the foil event but also with an HK$9 million cash bonus.

The city’s golden boy has written himself into history after defending his foil title in the early hours on Tuesday by beating Italy's Filippo Macch 15-14. It is the second gold medal the Hong Kong team won at the Paris Olympics, after another fencer, Vivian Kong Man-wai, won in the women's individual epee competition.

According to the “Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme,” Cheung will be awarded HK$6 million in cash bonus for winning gold. Cheung, an alumnus of Lam Tai Fai College, will also be awarded HK$3 million from his alma mater’s "Outstanding Athletes Incentive Awards Scheme."

With the Hong Kong team already securing two golds and one bronze in the Paris Olympics, the Jockey Club scheme will churn out HK13.5 million, including HK$1.5 million, to Siobhan Haughey, who won bronze in the women's 200m Freestyle.

Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges congratulated the athlete's achievements, noting that they have received enthusiastic support from the people of Hong Kong in both Paris and Hong Kong, highlighting the significance of sports in uniting society.

He believes there should be increased efforts to support sports development and looks forward to seeing more outstanding performances from Hong Kong athletes in the games.