Hong Kong links with mainland Chinese province to chase Games triathlon glory
City’s team establish Yunnan altitude base as squad train around globe ahead of Asian championships and National Games
Hong Kong head coach Andrew Wright has hailed an “awesome” development after his athletes were granted unlimited access to a high-performance altitude centre in the mainland Chinese province of Yunnan.
Wright’s bosses this week penned a memorandum of understanding with the Yuxi Municipal Education and Sports Bureau, which established a training site roughly 1,630 metres (5,350 feet) above sea level for Hong Kong.
Chau Chiu-nam, president of the Triathlon Association of Hong Kong, China, said using the venue would “enhance athletes’ endurance and adaptability”, as well as deliver a preparation boost for November’s all-important National Games.
Wong Tsz-to, who has secured Games qualification, is in Yunnan, in the country’s southwest, for summer training alongside fellow Hongkonger Hilda Choi Yan-yin.
“It’s awesome we have this link; it gives us a base close to Hong Kong and on the same time zone,” Wright said. “We won’t have to fly to the US or Europe for altitude benefits.
“They can tailor training camps for us, and deliver anything we want. It’s something we’ll utilise regularly.”