Hong Kong triathlon seeing National Games legacy benefits, rules out Siobhan Haughey move
Sport introduced to school programmes and competitor numbers increase, but head coach Andrew Wright issues note of caution
Hong Kong triathlon has started to enjoy “huge” legacy benefits from hosting last year’s National Games races, although head coach Andrew Wright cautioned that “we are only scratching the surface” of the sport’s potential.
The city team claimed two medals, bronze for Oscar Coggins in the men’s individual race and silver in the mixed relay, over two days of high-level, compelling racing on Central Harbourfront last November.
His long-standing wish for triathlon and aquathlon to be introduced into School Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China [HKSSF] competitions has been granted, while this month’s International School Sports Federation aquathlon drew more than 200 competitors, a significant increase on the roughly 100 who raced last year.
“This will be huge in terms of development, and it’s a very promising start … but we’re only scratching the surface,” Wright said.
He predicted it would take between eight and 12 years for aquathlon and triathlon’s addition to the HKSSF programme to be reflected at international level.