The first Hong Kong winter Olympian’s glory ended quickly in Sochi and he was equally quick to blame his disappointing performance on local Olympic officials, who he said refused him of a team doctor.
20-year old Barton Lui Pan-to told the media while in Sochi that he was unable to perform at his peak because he did not have a team doctor to help him with pains from old injuries. Lui also criticised that officials did not pay any attention to him in Sochi.
Returning to Hong Kong today, Lui explains that he wasn’t complaining about the officials but merely expressing his feelings and most importantly, wants to leave everything in the past and focus on the next competition.
The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee explained that the Hong Kong delegation was full and therefore, a team doctor could not be sent. Committee secretary-general Paul Chung also explained that they had tried their best but under the short timeframe they were unable to get the additional application to arrange for a team doctor.
Other delegation members expressed that they had many duties and responsibilities at Sochi so could not turn up to training sessions to support, and they also did not want to give the athlete pressure.
See related:
Hong Kong Olympian skater received no support from the SAR
Source: SCMP
Photo: Peter Parks, AFP
