Fans gather at shopping malls for Olympic action

Crowds on Saturday flocked to shopping malls to catch the livestream of the first day of action at the Paris Olympics Games. At Kwun Tong's apm shopping mall, a woman surnamed Tong said she became more interested in the Games since fencer Edgar Cheung won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. She also had a message for epee fencer Vivian Kong, who competes on Saturday afternoon. “We Hongkongers support Hongkongers. I think she's really into fencing and participating in the Olympics is something she wants to achieve. I hope she has a good result and a good [experience]." she said. A boy surnamed Auyeung, who had just participated in a swimming competition near the mall, said he is really excited about Siobhan Haughey competing. “Because she swims really fast… I hope to become a swimmer one day as well,” he said. Fung Wing-yan from Sun Hung Kai Properties said many people had gathered at the mall to support their favourite athletes, even before the SAR squad’s events took place. Fung said she expects foot traffic and business at the mall to increase by 10 to 15 percent year-on-year over the next two days, adding that the mall will offer various discounts. She also said the mall plans to broadcast the games from 11am to 11pm.