Hong Kong star Ceci Lee backed for Los Angeles Olympics quest after Paris slump

Lee grits her teeth during the Paris road race. Photo: Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.

• Herve Dagorne says 'devil came back' to Lee during omnium, but insists 'strong' rider has 'good gene for sports'

Herve Dagorne said Hong Kong cycling bosses would continue to back Ceci Lee Sze-wing through to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, after the 23-year-old froze in her final Paris 2024 competition on Sunday.

Familiar flaws returned to stalk Lee at the National Velodrome in Paris, as she struggled tactically and emotionally in an omnium won by American Jennifer Valente.

Lee finished 20th out of 22 riders, and in a tearful interview afterwards admitted to "not knowing what I was doing" during the four-discipline event.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

An omnium and Madison silver medallist at last year's Asian Games, Lee is yet to transfer her continental form to the global stage. She went into her shell in the French capital and did not challenge for points in any race.

Acknowledging it was "really frustrating" watching Lee's passive performance, Dagorne said he "wished she could have come to see [reporters] in a wheelchair, so tired ... but it was not the case". He additionally compared the pained mid-race expressions on the faces of Lee's rivals with his rider's untroubled countenance.

But the head coach said Lee was worth persevering with because she "has all the things many coaches dream about", and a talent worth investing in for another Olympic cycle.

As a Tier A* athlete at Hong Kong Sports Institute [HKSI], Lee has access to comprehensive sports science, medical and training resources, in addition to receiving a monthly wage of between HK$44,500 (US$5,709) and HK$50,000 (US$6,415).

"We have four years to work on the plan, the strategy, the technique and the psychological aspect," Dagorne said. "There is no qualification for the [2025] National Games or [2026] Asian Games, so we can build ... in a more relaxed way.

"Ceci is strong, she's a good person, she has all the things many coaches dream about.

"She has a good gene for sports. You can change the technical, tactical and psychological approach. You have to be stricter [with routine] when you're not performing because of these aspects. It can be painful, psychologically, to not accept [subpar performances].

"We are going step-by-step, and we cannot miss one. It will take time for long-term progression, but [managing development] is my job, and I love it."

Seven days before an omnium experience she called "intense and unhappy", Lee achieved her goal of completing the demanding 158-kilometres Olympics road race.

The Hongkonger was targeting a top-half finish on the track, but that expectation weighed heavy on shoulders that slumped after Lee's flat opening scratch race. Between races, Lee cut a despondent figure as she sat forlornly in the Hong Kong team's mid-track pen.

"She doesn't think enough about riding for herself, she cares too much about friends, family and media," Dagorne said. "We want her to enjoy cycling and be proud of what she is doing. Whatever your position [during race] at an Olympic Games, you have to keep trying for one better, then you can say you did your best. Ceci was always waiting, and she will be disappointed, because she did not try [to challenge for points].

"She is not young [in cycling terms]. At 23, you are mature, so we have to hurry up. Most of the athletes here were really sharp, tactically and technically."

Lee will have at least 10 days' holiday before beginning the lead-in to October's Track World Championships in Denmark. Her training is set to be overseen by a new endurance coach, whose identity will become clear over the next month, but Dagorne will remain closely aligned with a rider he has coached for six years.

"I really care about her as a person, not only as an athlete," Dagorne said. "When you have known someone since they were 16, you have a close relationship and can say [honest] things. Maybe, I can say even more, because the Olympics are done.

"She really tried her best, but the devil was coming back to her."

More Articles from SCMP

Who is MyKayla Skinner’s husband, Jonas Harmer? He supported the Olympic medalist and former gymnast amid her feud with Simone Biles, competed on American Ninja Warrior, and has a true crime podcast

China clinic accused of tricking teen boy with mental age of 5 into boob job

Arrest of 90-year-old puts illegal gambling among Hong Kong’s elderly in focus

ONE Championship: Adriano Moraes to face Danny Kingad in flyweight ‘title eliminator’

This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.