This came after Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that her administration has purchased the broadcasting rights so people can watch the games for free on the territory’s five licensed broadcasters.
The head of Baptist University’s department of sport, physical education and health, Julien Baker welcomed the move, saying it would have been a “disaster” if Hong Kong people couldn’t watch the games, given that it’s likely some Hong Kong athletes will win medals this year.
He said the games could stimulate the public’s interest in sports.
“The government bodies in sports, and in particular sports institutes in Hong Kong should promote and advertise sports development and participation a little bit more, perhaps align with the games themselves, and then maximise the potential of the games to recruit and get people actively involved in sport,” he said.
Meanwhile, the vice president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, Kenneth Fok, said he is happy that everyone can watch the games for free and support local athletes.
In a Facebook post, he also advised the government to liaise with TV stations to make sure Olympics-related productions are done properly.
“The government should have a holistic plan on how to make good use of the video clips from the Olympic Games, for example, at schools and venues under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, in order to promote the long-term development of the sports sector,” he wrote.
In response, TVB, Viu TV and Now TV said they welcomed the government’s decision, adding that they would deploy all the necessary resources to cover the games properly.
