In 1970, as a 16-year-old student in class 4A2 at La Salle College in Hong Kong, I found myself sitting next to a tall, new Portuguese classmate named Ian Dey—someone I had never met before. I soon learned that his family had relocated their business from Europe to Hong Kong, and we quickly became good friends.
One thing that stood out about Ian was that his hair was always wet before class. I later discovered the reason—he was training for the Olympics, an uncommon goal for a high school student in Hong Kong. He trained alongside our senior classmate, Ronnie Wong, who had the best shot at making the Olympic team. Every morning at 5:00 a.m., they would wake up, swim for miles while pulling a small boat, and then head straight to school. Ian’s unwavering dedication left a lasting impression on me, teaching me that success requires commitment, discipline, perseverance, and relentless hard work.
In 1972, at the Munich Olympics, Ronnie Wong earned his place among world-class athletes. Though the competition was fierce, we cheered him on with pride. Ian, unfortunately, did not make the team, and in 2023, he tragically passed away. His memory, however, continues to inspire me. His passion and determination have fueled my commitment to attend every Summer Games and support the Olympic Movement.
This story is a reminder that true glory is only achieved through dedication and effort. Every athlete, regardless of the outcome, deserves our respect—for each one is a champion in their own right.
Our Olympic Games Adventure continue.......
One thing that stood out about Ian was that his hair was always wet before class. I later discovered the reason—he was training for the Olympics, an uncommon goal for a high school student in Hong Kong. He trained alongside our senior classmate, Ronnie Wong, who had the best shot at making the Olympic team. Every morning at 5:00 a.m., they would wake up, swim for miles while pulling a small boat, and then head straight to school. Ian’s unwavering dedication left a lasting impression on me, teaching me that success requires commitment, discipline, perseverance, and relentless hard work.
In 1972, at the Munich Olympics, Ronnie Wong earned his place among world-class athletes. Though the competition was fierce, we cheered him on with pride. Ian, unfortunately, did not make the team, and in 2023, he tragically passed away. His memory, however, continues to inspire me. His passion and determination have fueled my commitment to attend every Summer Games and support the Olympic Movement.
This story is a reminder that true glory is only achieved through dedication and effort. Every athlete, regardless of the outcome, deserves our respect—for each one is a champion in their own right.
Our Olympic Games Adventure continue.......
