Source:REUTERS/John Sibley
[Saba Sports News] Hong Kong badminton player Ng Tsz Yau recently lent her mixed doubles gold medal from the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games to the Hong Kong Sports Institute for an exhibition. However, after the event, she received the medal back with damage. Ng shared a photo of the medal on social media showing it with tape stuck to it, leaving marks that were difficult to remove. She then expressed her anger about the situation on social media, stating, ‘This is too much!’
Following Ng’s outcry, the Hong Kong Sports Institute quickly responded, admitting that staff negligence during the handling of the medal led to the tape marks. They also revealed that they had proactively contacted Ng to follow up on the incident.
This gold medal from the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games holds irreplaceable significance for Ng; it is not just a metal award but a milestone honor in her athletic career and a symbol of Hong Kong’s impressive achievements in international youth competitions. The act of loaning the medal was based on her trust in the sports institution and intended to allow the public to experience the spirit of sports up close and to convey sports culture.
The tape marks observed upon its return may seem like a minor flaw, but they signify the casual treatment of an honor that she has cherished for years. The emotional impact of such negligence on an athlete far exceeds the marks themselves, which is why her angry response on social media resonates with the public and earns their empathy and understanding.