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Paris Olympic women’s épée gold medalist Vivian Kong Man-wai is set to formally register her candidacy on Monday afternoon for the Legislative Council election, contesting in the tourism functional constituency.
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Kong, 31, currently serves as Assistant Manager (External Affairs) at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Her election office announced that she will submit her nomination alongside her supporters at 2pm today.
The Jockey Club confirmed that Kong has suspended all her duties with the organization since yesterday.
“The Club will not, in any form, participate in or assist with any employee’s election campaign,” a spokesman said in response to media inquiries.
Her entry into the race comes as incumbent tourism sector legislator Perry Yiu Pak-leung — who has held the seat since 2021 — announced he will “change track” and run instead in the Election Committee constituency. Yiu is also expected to submit his nomination papers today.
Recent speculation within political circles suggested Kong had initially considered contesting the New Territories North geographical constituency.
However, under current election rules, geographical constituency candidates must not hold foreign right of abode. Having emigrated to Canada with her family during childhood, Kong holds Canadian residency status and was reportedly unable to renounce it in time, prompting her to seek a seat in the functional constituency instead.
As of now, only Marco Ma Yat-chiu, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Cultural, Sports and Tourism Association, has officially registered to contest the tourism sector seat.
