How a sponsorship deal and a switch of accommodation spiralled into a stand-off between Wong Wan-chun and the HKAAA
The ongoing exile of distance runner Wong Wan-chun from the Hong Kong athletics team began after decisions he made about sponsorship and World University Games accommodation.
His relations with the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) soured to the extent that communication broke down in the lead-up to last year’s Olympics in Paris, from which Wong was absent.
Meetings this year with HKAAA officials have yet to result in the city’s marathon, half-marathon and 10km record holder being reinstated.
Without HKAAA approval, Wong, 29, cannot receive backing from the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the taxpayer-financed body overseeing support of the city’s athletes through funding, facilities and expertise.
