Vivian Kong visits Hangzhou for Strive and Rise Program

Olympic fencing gold winner Vivian Kong began her tour to Hangzhou on Sunday (Aug. 11) with a youth delegation from the government's Strive and Rise Program, a mentoring scheme designed to assist young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Hong Kong.

During the five-day trip, Kong, along with the delegation, will visit technology companies and athlete training centers.

Speaking to reporters ahead of her departure, Kong said she wanted to give something back to Hong Kong, as she started her new job as an assistant external affairs manager at the Jockey Club.

"I think as an athlete, I worked really hard to train and to make Hong Kong people proud, to win results and to unite everyone so that we can all enjoy sports. And now that I'm lucky enough to join the Jockey Club, I wish I could use my platform and use the power of sports to unite everyone and hopefully just make sure that we all love sports and be happier," she added.

Raymond Tam, the Jockey Club's executive director of corporate affairs, said dozens of underprivileged pupils were joining the trip.

"Eighty-four pupils and five mentors will take part in the five-day tour. The itinerary is diverse, ranging from innovation and technology, history, culture, to sports. We expect that senior officials from the SAR will also join this tour," he said.

Kong stated last week that she was quitting fencing full-time after winning the gold medal in the women's individual epee at the Paris Olympics.

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