[Cycling]Hong Kong team qualified for two Paris Olympic road races, Shen Jinkang talks about his resignation: The efforts of the Hong Kong team will be unforgettable

[Tournament News]Hong Kong Cycling Team head coach Shen Jinkang, who was earlier reported to be retiring at the end of the year, was interviewed today (24th) when he attended an event at Lam Tai Fai Secondary School as a guest, confirming that the Hong Kong Cycling Team has confirmed that it will win the first man in the 2024 Paris Olympic Road Race. One woman qualified, and pointed out that the Hong Kong team is now striving for a spot in the Track Cycling Nations Cup and striving for Olympic points. Talking about leaving a position he has worked for for more than 30 years, Coach Shen said he has no regrets and will most unforgettable the efforts of Hong Kong athletes.

The Hong Kong Sports Institute earlier published an announcement on its website to recruit the head coach of the Hong Kong Cycling Team. Later, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Cycling Association, Leung Hung-tak, confirmed that the 70-year-old coach Shen will retire at the end of the year. The Hong Kong team will be appointed by the team before the new head coach is determined. The coach assumes the position of head coach. Coach Shen was interviewed today when he was a guest at an event at Lam Tai Fai Secondary School. He came to Hong Kong in 1994 and has been teaching for more than 30 years. He mentioned that his work over the years has received social support and the cooperation of athletes. The entire training system and the Sports Institute have mutual support and cooperation, so there is not much Big regret, “My little regret is that I originally wanted to pass on my training skills and experience, but now I may not have such an opportunity.” He also said that he has no special plans after leaving office: “Personally speaking, Of course I hope to stay in Hong Kong, but I have no choice but to retire. I haven’t considered anything else yet and I don’t know yet.”

Looking back on the past 30 years, Coach Shen said that the efforts of Hong Kong athletes are the most unforgettable: “Hong Kong athletes are very hard-working. They have won many medals during my 30 years of service. I have counted the number of medals in the Asian Championships, World Cup and World Championships. There are more than 300 medals. To be able to win so many medals, I am very grateful to the athletes and the society for their support. This also shows that there is hope for young people in Hong Kong.”

Coach Shen also revealed during the interview that the Hong Kong team was notified the day before yesterday that they would qualify for the Paris Olympic road race for one man and one woman. According to the world rankings at the end of the Olympic scoring cycle on October 17, 2023, the Hong Kong women’s team is ranked 29th. Through the world rankings, they have obtained a ticket to the Paris Olympics. This will be the first time that the Hong Kong team has a female player after the 2012 London Olympics. Competing in the Olympic road race. As for the men’s Hong Kong team, the world ranking is 49th. Although they were not able to qualify directly through the world rankings, Coach Shen pointed out that the results of the Asian Championships put the Hong Kong team at the forefront of the remaining Olympic qualification list, so in the end Seats are awarded when assigned. As for the drivers to participate in the Hong Kong team, coach Shen said that it will be decided by other head coaches after he retires. Coach Shen also revealed that the Hong Kong team is currently competing for qualifications for next year’s three-station Track Cycling Nations Cup from the qualifying rounds, and then competing for an Olympic spot.

Pictures and text: He Ziyuan

This article is written by “Sportsroad“Originally published in “[Cycling]Hong Kong team qualified for two Paris Olympic road races, Shen Jinkang talks about his resignation: The efforts of the Hong Kong team will be unforgettable」