No regrets for Tse after final Olympics

Eunice Lam

Hong Kong shuttler Tse Ying-suet says she has no regrets despite her last Olympic stint ending in the quarterfinals in Paris.

Tse and mixed doubles partner Jordan Tang Chun-man were welcomed by supporters at Hong Kong International Airport upon their return with the rest of the badminton team yesterday morning.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung welcomed the delegation, which included shuttlers Lee Cheuk Yiu, Happy Lo Sin-yan and the women's doubles pair of Lianne Yeung Nga-ting and Yeung Pui-lam.

Tse, 32, said she is grateful for being able to finish the Games and was satisfied with her performance, having previously been worried about being unable to play due to an injury suffered before departing last month.

"I don't have any regrets. In fact, I am very thankful to be able to participate in these Olympics. Before the Games, there were a few accidents, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to make it this time," she said.

"I was able to do what I said I wanted to do and enjoyed the tournament. I feel that I have done my best this time and I am very satisfied."

Tse said even if she no longer will be a frontline athlete in the future, she will try her best to train other players to proudly represent Hong Kong.

Her partner, Tang, 29, said they will consider whether to continue to play as a duo in tournaments scheduled in the next couple of months.

"She asked me [two years ago] if I still wanted to be her partner, but before her question, I already had the answer in my mind: that whenever she wanted to continue her badminton career, I would put her first," Tang said, adding that the pair will take part in the Japan Open at the end of August and the Hong Kong Open next month.

"But we haven't discussed what tournaments we will play after that. Maybe we will take a week or two off to settle down and see how long we will work as a pair later."

Hong Kong's Siobhan Haughey - who won two bronze medals in Paris - will return home tomorrow with the other swimmers.

Meanwhile, a large-scale outdoor LED light show celebrating local Olympians lit up the exterior of the Kai Tak Sports Park's main stadium at around 8pm yesterday, its second night in a row. The one-hour light show could be seen this weekend from Hoi Sham Park in To Kwa Wan, Kai Tak Bridge in Kowloon Bay, and Sai Wan Ho Harbour Park.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com