HONG KONG (Reuters) -
Jody Lee's goal is to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but with only two years to go, Hong Kong's monthly swimming pool closures make it difficult to achieve her dream.
Lakes and all other sports facilities, including tennis courts, golf courses, and gymnasiums, have been closed since January - and it has been a total of more than 13 months since the epidemic began in 2020.
Lee, 15, had been trying to keep himself in good shape by training at sea, trying for red waves and waves, but the city closed beaches on Thursday, making it even more difficult to swim.
I don't know where my level of swimming is ... Things will be very difficult for me when it comes to trying to qualify for the Olympics. they do not rely on the sports and entertainment industry to gain competitive prominence, entertainment, welfare, or profit.
Citizens and athletes alike are increasingly frustrated by what they see as a policy conflict from the Chinese government, which has allowed hairdressers to reopen in March but close public beaches a week later.
Leader Carrie Lam said there was "a need" for people to be trimmed, and to protect beaches as needed to prevent rallies. Many locals have flocked to beaches and coastal parks to enjoy the playgrounds, schools, and many closed public spaces. Hong Kong is officially adhering to China's "flexible" coronavirus policy, which seeks to curb all emergencies as soon as possible. they happen.
Authorities this year have done the worst thing in the city since the epidemic began in 2020. Infection and mortality have skyrocketed, and Lam has not provided a clear roadmap on how Hong Kong can resume normalcy.
Tens of thousands have been affected financially by the closure, with coaches and clubs losing millions of dollars in revenue, sports organizations said.
About 10% of Hong Kong's 1,800 gymnasiums will not be able to continue working, said Sam Wong, executive director of the city's Physical Fitness Association. shut down.
The city's Tennis Association said participants from umpires and linemen to machine makers were losing a lot of money on closure. He called on the government to reopen the courts as tennis could "naturally" use social media.
On the coast of Repulse Bay, in the southern part of Hong Kong, residents felt frustrated by the temporary blockade that prevented them from reaching the shore.
"It has nothing to do with science and it works," said a citizen named Michael, who did not want to be named.
Many of the city's young athletes were thrilled after Hong Kong's solid performance at the Tokyo Olympics last year. Lam said after the Games he would invest heavily in supporting the sports industry, but the reality is very different, residents said.
"While Hong Kong politicians are quick to take pictures with the Olympics of this prestigious and successful swimming school, they do not seem to care at all about the financial hardships we have to endure because of the unthinkable institutional closure," said Michael Fasching. , head coach of the Harry Wright International swimming club, coached Olympian athlete Siobhan Haughey.
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