Gov't demands follow up on alleged manipulation on Olympic athlete selection

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said it“attached great importance” to the effective governance of the city’s sports associations, and has instructed the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee to follow up an alleged manipulation in athlete selection in the Paris Olympics.

This came after sources told Sing Tao Daily, The Standard’s sister publication, that Leung Hung-tak, chairman of the Hong Kong Cycling Association, attempted to manipulate athlete selection last year by fabricating accidents to justify substitutions.

In response to media enquiries, the bureau said the SF&OC issued the Code of Corporate Governance last year, which introduced a series of recommendations and enhancement measures, including guidelines for athlete selection mechanisms.

“The bureau expects sports associations’ athlete selection mechanisms are fair, transparent and credible,” the statement said.
The Hong Kong cycling association said its executive committee will be discussing the issue, and will not comment before the end of the discussion.