Rail giant MTR Corporation announced that it would give Vivian Kong a lifetime ticket as “a token of appreciation” after she won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, while Deliveroo has offered discount at all restaurants.
Travel company MTR said on Sunday all Hong Kong athletes who won a medal in this year’s Olympic Games and the subsequent Paralympic Games would also receive free lifetime tickets.
Kong secured a stunning victory as she overturned a six-point deficit to defeat France’s Auriane Mallo-Breton in the women’s épée final in front of French president Emmanuel Macron, who was watching in the stands.
“We hope all athletes will continue to work hard and achieve greater success in the competition,” the railway giant said.
Meanwhile, Deliveroo HK commented on a post on its Instagram page to announce customers would have a HK$40 discount with the code VIVIANKONG at any of their restaurants provided they spend a minimum HK$100.
Kwun Tong’s APM shopping centre handed out 100 cups of coffee at 9am on Sunday to mark Kong’s victory.
The mall, which announced the freebie on Saturday night, will also distribute free coffee whenever the city’s team wins a medal at the Olympics.
APM broadcasts live matches every night until 5am at the latest, depending on the schedule of the Hong Kong team.
Kong’s victory was also celebrated back in Hong Kong as fans stayed up late into the night to watch her gold-medal triumph or caught it first thing in the morning.
Debbie Yip Shun-fan told The Post the victory is a “massive achievement for her and the city” and that her win can further “empower” women athletes in Hong Kong.
Yip, who often plays racquet sports, said Kong can inspire young women in the city who wish to play sports competitively.
“Actually, no matter if you win or not, it is already an achievement itself to represent internationally,” the woman in her 20s said. She said that she will continuously cheer for the city’s Olympic delegates.
While 35-year-old William Lam Chung-ying, 35, who works in the tech industry, said that this is a “big achievement for the city” and hopes for more to come.
An avid sports fan, Lam said that he was reading the news of Vivian Kong Man-wai’s Olympic gold win in fencing on his phone during his commute in the MTR.
“I [looked around] and many people were looking at the TV to see her [holding the gold medal],” he said. “This is huge, to represent on the [international stage].
“She and the other athletes have the [support] of millions of [Hongkongers].”
James Modesto contributed to this report