OCA VP hails Harbin Games as 'best ever'

The Harbin Asian Winter Games have been the best Winter Asiad yet, and, with its natural environment, the host city has the potential to become a global winter tourism hub, said Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, first vice-president of the Olympic Council of Asia, in an exclusive interview with China Daily.

Harbin was designated as the host city for the continental sporting gala on July 8, 2023, leaving the city with just 18 months to prepare for the event — a considerably shorter time frame than the usual several years of preparation needed for major international sporting events.

"It's an absolute miracle," Fok said, adding that the Games' legacy will benefit local people.

"The greatest thing about the Games is that it's a catalyst for change. If you don't have the Games, it might take much longer. All the facilities renovated for the Games are given to the people in Harbin to use, especially the young people. I think that's a very important point."

He also praised Hangzhou's hosting of the Asian Summer Games in 2023, emphasizing that the organizers' meticulous attention to detail during the event continues to be a subject of conversation to this day.

"Hosting the Winter Asiad is even more difficult because many people in Asia are from tropical countries. Frankly, when Harbin was first mentioned as the host city, they were always concerned about the extreme cold. Now, you have done everything to provide comfort," he said.

"The logistics, transportation, hospitality and, most importantly, Harbin being a very beautiful city, make it a place where ... I would like to visit some of the sites and explore the history," he added.

During Fok's stay in Harbin, he and his eldest son, Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, who is vice-president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, explored the city's major attractions, including the famous Chinese-Baroque Historic and Cultural Block in Daowai district.

"I think one of the greatest things about (the Games) is not only the sporting exchanges, but also seeing as much of Harbin as you can," the elder Fok said.

Hong Kong, China has sent its largest-ever delegation to the Games, with 74 athletes competing in curling, ice hockey, figure skating, short-track speed skating, speed skating and alpine skiing.

"I'd like to see more young people from Hong Kong and Harbin engaging in exchanges. I hope that, through such exchanges, we can not only enhance (their proficiency in winter sports), but also get to know each other better," Fok said.

"In fact, many Hong Kong athletes train on the Chinese mainland, especially in winter sports. I hope that there can be more generous support for these exchanges," he added.

Hong Kong skater Sidney K Chu, 25, serves as a vivid example of sporting exchanges between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Chinese mainland.

Chu has been training for years in Changchun, Jilin province, where he learned to speak the local dialect. This proficiency helped him gain popularity on Chinese social media platforms during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the ongoing Winter Asiad.

Normally just a short-track specialist, in Harbin, he also competed in the speed skating program.

"This is my first time competing in speed skating at an international event, and I wanted to challenge myself because there are very few professional speed skaters from Hong Kong. I hope to show more Hong Kong people the charm of winter sports," he said.

Fok added: "Our athletes spend a lot of time here and develop a local accent. Now, this is the beauty of sport."

Such exchanges are also expected to be seen during this year's 15th National Games, which Hong Kong will co-host along with the Macao Special Administrative Region and Guangdong province, he added.

"It's actually about sports for all. This is a truly great sports country. I think sports should be a very significant part of people's lives, especially for young people.I encourage everybody to pursue a sport, and now, with a Games like this, you can improve all the facilities and create a legacy," he said.