Hong Kong Swimmer Siobhan Haughey Wins Historic Olympic Silver Medal

July 28, 2021

Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey wins historic olympic silver medal

Cover Siobhan Bernadette Haughey of Team Hong Kong wins the silver medal in the Women's 200m Freestyle Final on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

The 23-year-old star swimmer makes history as she bags Hong Kong's first Olympic medal for swimming at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Fresh off Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long's gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Hong Kong swimmer and Gen.T honouree Siobhan Haughey swiftly followed with a historic silver medal win at the women's 200m freestyle event—clinching the city's first-ever medal in swimming.

The city watched in anticipation as the star swimmer made it to the semi-finals on Tuesday, trailing in second place to Australia's Ariarne Titmus. During the finals, Canada's Penny Oleksiak took the lead before the 23-year-old Hong Kong swimmer gained the lead after the first split. She clocked in 1:53.92, a new Asian record and a mere 0.42 seconds behind gold medalist, Titmus.

Haughey—a University of Michigan standout—made her Olympic debut in the Rio 2016 Games where she also managed to make it to the semi-finals. The swimming superstar also holds multiple Hong Kong and Asia swimming records. With her win, it marks the first time that the city has bagged more than one medal at the Olympics.

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Haughey, a former University of Michigan standout made her Olympic debut in the Rio 2016 Games where she also managed to make it to the semi-finals. The swimming superstar also holds multiple Hong Kong and Asian swimming records. With her win, it marks the first time that the city has bagged more than one medal at the Olympics.

“I hope Cheung Ka-long's and my performances this Olympics can push fellow Hong Kong athletes competing, they can add oil,” Haughey said in a post-race interview. “And also the athletes watching at home in Hong Kong—keep training, because it will be your turn soon," she added. She also thanked her coaches and parents for their support which allowed her to achieve what she could today.

But it's not the end for Haughey as she cruises back to the pool for the 100m freestyle semi-finals and finals on Thursday and Friday. Haughey alongside three other fellow Hong Kong swimmers was set to compete in the 4x200m freestyle relay but the team decided to withdraw to allow her more time to rest ahead of her upcoming matches.