Lee previously won a bronze medal in the women's keirin at the 2012 London Olympics and has nabbed another bronze medal in the women's sprint at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, bringing Hong Kong's medal haul to six
Hong Kong cyclist and Gen.T honouree Sarah Lee makes history as the first Hong Kong athlete to bring home medals from two Olympic games.
The 34-year-old first clinched a bronze medal at the London 2012 Games in the women's keirin and captured another bronze medal in the Tokyo 2020 Games in women's track cycling sprint event.
Lee's win brings the city's total medal tally to six—their best-ever Olympic performance to date. Lee was able to beat Germany's Emma Hinze in their best-of-three match up after losing to Ukraine's Olena Starikova in the semi-finals.
The star cyclist thanked her family, crew and teammates in a post-race interview. She said that they gave her confidence, especially during difficult times.
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"I have learned how to take care of myself during the Games; in the past, I have been busy with many other things".
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics marks Lee's third Olympics so expectations for her were high. When she fell short of a podium finish at the keirin event, she said it was a pity not to win a medal but her coach, Shen Jinkang encouraged her that "that the learning process is more meaningful than getting medals".
She also added that wearing the Hong Kong jersey gives her pride and strength. "I have been representing the Hong Kong team for 13 years. Without the Hong Kongers being there for me, I would not be on the podium today," she said.
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