Editor’s Words
History of the Olympics
Odd Competitive Events in the history of Olympics
Hong Kong Medalists
The Paralympic Games
The New “Holy Family Soar with Reading Scheme”
Book Sharing by Teachers
Book Reports by Library Prefects
Photos of Library Prefects
Editorial Board
Acknowledgements
by Erin Chan 5B
On July 28 2024, Hong Kongers all cheered in joy following fencer Vivian Kong’s victory, witnessing her gloriously ascending to the top step of the Olympic podium. On July 30 2024, Hong Kongers applauded Edgar Cheung’s history-making back-to-back gold medal. Needless to say, it has been an eventful and exhilarating Olympicstowitness.
In this issue, we will explore the stories of the sweat and tears behind Hong Kong’s medalists, as well as some fun facts you may not know about them. Not only that, we will also take you back to decades ago, when the Olympics first began. Would you also like to know about some weird competitive items in Olympic history? Or, would you like to know about our Paralympians? You’re in the right place! Sit back, relax and enjoy this issue whereweexploretopicsinrelationtotheOlympics!
During the past summer holiday, did you stay up all night to watch the adrenaline-fuelled and cutthroat Olympic Games? In fact, the roots of the Olympic Games can be traced back to thousands of years ago. Now, shall we take the time machine back to the past to catch a glimpse into the history of theOlympics?
The first recorded Olympic Games took place in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece, a sanctuary site dedicated to Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. The Games were held every four years, a period known as an “Olympiad.” This timing not only allowed for the organisation of the event but also served as a calendarreferencefortheGreeks.
Initially, the Olympics featured a limited number of events, primarily focusing on running, wrestling, and the pentathlon (a combination of five events:running,longjump,discus,javelin,andwrestling).Athletes,knownas “hoplites,”weretypicallymalecitizensofGreekcity-states.Theycompetedin the nude, emphasising physical beauty and athleticism. The Games were as much a religious festival as a sporting event, where competitors and spectatorspaidhomagetoZeus,withsacrificesmadeatthealtars.
The ancient Olympics flourished for nearly 12 centuries but began to decline in the 4th century AD. The rise of Christianity and the Roman Empire’s increasing control over Greece led to the Games being banned in 393 AD by Emperor Theodosius I. The sacred traditions of Olympia faded into history, and the site was eventually abandoned. In 1896, the modern Olympic Games revived, largely due to the efforts of Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator and historian. Inspired by the ancient Games, Coubertin sought to promote physical education and international friendship. The first modernOlympicstookplaceinAthens,featuring13countriesand43events.
The modern Olympics emphasise values such as excellence, friendship, and respect. The Olympic motto, “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (Faster, Higher, Stronger),reflectsthespiritofcompetitionandpersonalachievement.Having grown to include a wider variety of sports and represent numerous nations, theGamesfosterasenseofglobalcommunity.
The Olympics, with their rich history and deep-rooted traditions, continue to inspire millions around the world. From their ancient beginnings in Olympia to the modern celebration of athleticism and unity, the Games are a testament to the enduring human spirit. As we look forward to future Olympiads, we celebrate not only the athletes but also the shared ideals of peaceandfriendshipthattheOlympicsrepresent.
The Olympics have long been a showcase of human achievement, skills, and passion. However, throughout its history, the Games have also featured some rather peculiar events that might leave you scratching your head. Here, we’ll explore three of the most unusual competitive items that have graced the Olympics
One of the most whimsical events to ever race the Olympic arena was poodle clipping, which took center stage during the 1900 Paris Olympics. This highly specialized competition involved groomers showcasing their skills in transforming poodles into stylish, well-coiffed companions. Participants were judged on their ability to trim and style the dogs, with emphasis on precision and creativity. Although it might seem outlandish today, poodle clipping highlighted the intersection of artistry and skill, albeit in a uniquely quirky fashion. While the event itself was about aesthetics, it illustrates how caring for animals can be a physically engaging activity that promotes both mental well-being and physical dexterity. The joy of grooming and interacting with pets can foster a healthy lifestyle, encouraging people to remain active through walks, play, and training routines.
Another oddity in Olympic history is live pigeon shooting, which was part of the 1900 Paris Games as well. Competitors were tasked with shooting live pigeons released from cages, a practice that raised eyebrows and sparked outrage among animal rights activists. The event was controversial, and it marked the only time that animals were used in Olympic competitions. Following its debut, live pigeon shooting was swiftly removed from the Olympic roster, but it remains a notorious chapter in the history of the Games. Nonetheless, illustrating a different aspect of physical activity—marksmanship, the event serves as a reminder of the diverse ways sports can challenge physical abilities. Shooting sports today emphasize focus, precision, and discipline, showing that staying active can take many forms, whether through competitive shooting or other precision sports that promote hand-eye coordination and mental clarity.
While tug of war may seem like a simple backyard game, it was an official Olympic event from 1900 to 1920. Teams of athletes would compete in this test of strength and teamwork, often featuring some of the top athletes of the time. The event required not
only brute strength but also strategy and coordination, making it a fascinating spectacle. It required teamwork, strength, and strategy, engaging athletes in a physically demanding activity that promotes fitness and camaraderie. Although it fell out of favor and was eventually removed from the Olympic lineup, tug of war remains a beloved competition in many cultures around the world. Tug of war not only encourages physical exertion but also highlights the importance of teamwork and social interaction—key components in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Engaging in group activities fosters community spirit and motivation, making exercise a more enjoyable and sustainable endeavor.
The Olympics are a celebration of diverse talents and cultures, but they also embrace the bizarre and unexpected. From poodle clipping to live pigeon shooting and tug of war, these strange events remind us that the spirit of competition can take many forms and all sun and sundry can participate in any of them to “Stay Active, Stay Healthy’”.
As we celebrate the spirit of the Olympics, let’s embrace all forms of physical activity and the joy that comes with it!
With the test week marching closer and closer once again, rants and sighs filled the corridors like a bee hive.Then, I heard a groan “Gosh! It's nearly the test week and I haven't even started studying yet! I’ll never be able to catch up! Should I just give up and drop Biology?”This got me thinking, is starting late the reason to give up our passion?
Almost immediately, the famous two-time Olympics champion Edgar Cheung Ka Long popped right into my mind.The left handed foil fencer started fencing when he was in fourth grade. Barely a year after, he won a bronze medal in team foil at the Asian Games. With intense training and hard work, he earned 3 medals and 10 medals in theAsian Games and theAsian Championships respectively in the consecutive years until 2021, when he gained the opportunity to represent Hong Kong in theTokyo Olympic Games. Unfortunately, he suffered from a catastrophic knee injury not long after his success in the Olympic Games.As the sport requires vigorous movements of the knee, this was undeniably a punch in the gut to the well known athlete. Due to the injury, Cheung Ka Long was forced to withdraw from the 2021 National Games in Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China. Despite the hard blow, he persisted in chasing his dreams and running towards his goal.After his recovery, he soon resumed his training.As the result of years of blood, sweat and tears, he became the first athlete representing Hong Kong in history to win successive Gold medals in the Olympic Games. His experience was sheerly inspiring as it promotes being persistent towards our passion, even when facing huge barricades.
Talking about overcoming obstacles, Hong Kong’s first World Record holding swimmer – Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, had a lot to share in interviews. Until now, the prominent swimmer has broken Hong Kong andAsian records for 98 times and 23 times respectively.As a patron of a superhero-like double identity of being a student and an athlete at the same time, Siobhan certainly faced various challenges while having to take care of her studies and represent Hong Kong in the 2016 Rio Olympics simultaneously.According to an interview carried out byYPDiscover in 2021, everyday when she goes to school, she has already gone through a routine of 4 hours of training and studying.After 8 hours in school, which feels like hell to many students, she would re-commence her training sessions. Just like each and every one of us, intrusive thoughts about how this is too tiring and overwhelming and wanting to give up appear all the time.
“I definitely have those days when I’m too tired to go to school or I just don’t feel like training. But then I go back to my long-term goal and think about why I am doing this.” Instead of getting beaten and fatigued by her packed schedule, she motivates herself by reminding herself of her ambitions and goals.
While some may argue that both Siobhan Haughey and Cheung Ka Long both started young with Siobhan representing Hong Kong in the Olympics at the age of 18, and thus have a lot of time to overcome difficulties in case they face them, Vivian Kong’s experiences surely denied this argument. Vivian Kong, unlike Cheung Ka Long and Siobhan Haughey, didn’t take glory in being titled a talented prodigy at a young age of 23 and 24. On the contrary, 27-year-old Vivian lost in the quarterfinals in the 2020Tokyo Olympics. On top of that, the opponent she lost against was 19-year-oldAizanat Murtazaeva, who ranked 258th in the world at that time while she ranked 7th. Many news reporters and article writers even commented regretfully that Vivian may have lost the best chance she’ll ever have in earning an Olympics medal. In fact, this was the assumption of many Hong Kongers after theTokyo Olympic Games. However, Vivian believed in herself in a situation where most would admit defeat if they were in her shoes. With support from her family and friends and a tough uphill battle, she finally prevailed over all her stress and difficulties, winning a gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and being entitled the “Smiling Fencing Queen”. Her story stated clearly that neither hurdles nor starting late is an excuse to give up on what you take great delight in.
In a nutshell, our dreams and goals are what keep us going in life.They are what makes us unique and different. In brief, think twice before giving up some hobbies or in fact anything in life.Think of your childhood ambitions and what you can achieve if you keep working on it. Maybe you’ll decide that everything you’re currently going through is worth it after you reconsider. Don’t let minor hindrances like starting too late pull you back!
DearHolyFamilians,
I am thrilled to announce the launch of our new reading initiative,theHFCCSoarwithReadingScheme!Designedtoinspire ourstudentstoreadwidelyandextensively,thisprogramfeatures a handpicked selection of books curated by our dedicated subject department heads. We believe that reading should be an adventure,andthisschemeaimstoguideyouonthatjourney.
WhySoarwithReading?Readingisnotjustaboutwordsona page; itʼs about exploring new ideas, understanding diverse perspectives, and sparking creativity. Our selected titles will help youengagewithavarietyofthemesandgenres,encouragingyou todiscoverthejoyofreadingbeyondyourusualfavorites.
Howitworks:
1 Youwillreceiveastampchop(seep.142144)ofyourstudent handbook upon borrowing any book with labels under this scheme.
2 Youcanborrowuptothreebookswithsuchlabelsatonetime. 3 Uponreceiving5stampsundereachcategory,youcancome and claim your prize / bonus mark during lunchtime at the SchoolLibrary.Justcomeandlookforme!
SoarwithReadingismorethanjustareadinginitiative;itʼsan invitation to embark on a journey of imagination and discovery. Letʼscometogethertocelebratethejoyofreadingandunlockthe knowledgewaitingforusinthelibrary.Happyreading!
Warmly,
MsCandiceNg HFCCTeacherLibrarian
I recommend The Obstacle Is the Way to anyone ambitious about achieving their goals, regardless of whether they aspire to be athletes or not. The book teaches that obstacles are not just barriers but essential components of the journey toward success. It instills a mindset that values perseverance, adaptability, and resilience, whichareinvaluabletraitsinanyfield.
In this book, Ryan draws on ancient Stoic philosophies to illustrate how challenges can be transformed into opportunities and lessons for growth and success. This book is divided into three main sections, that is, Perception, Action and Will. Ryan emphasizes that how we perceive obstacles determines our ability to overcome them. By taking deliberate action and cultivating a resilient will, individuals can turn adversityintoadvantage.
Many successful athletes embody the principles outlined in Ryan’s book but one great example is Michael Jordan. He encountered significant challenges on his path to greatness. After being cut from his high school basketball team, he dedicated himself to improving his skills, ultimately earning a college basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina. There, he won an NCAA Championship. Despite facing playoff disappointments early in his NBA career, he transformed these challenges into motivation by changing his perception of failure and committing to relentless practices. Jordan’s extreme work ethics and ability to overcome adversity havemadehimaglobalsportsiconandasymbolofresilience.
The Obstacle Is the Way serves as a powerful reminder that challenges are not the end of the road but rather stepping stones to success. Whether you are an athlete or someone pursuing any goal, the insights from Ryan Holiday’s book can inspire you to face your obstacles head-on, using them as fuel for accomplishing greater achievements.
Gloria Chan 4B 01
《地下鐵事件》村上春樹
這本書的故事背景設定於1995年3月20日,日本東京地下
鐵發生了由奧姆真理教主麻原彰晃所主導的「沙林毒氣事 件」，當天早上正值繁忙時間,有數名奧姆真理教教徒攜帶 沙林液體袋進入列車車廂,並以傘尖刺破袋子，液體隨之
流出，令沙林毒氣散佈於車廂內及各停靠車站，造成14人 死亡、6251人受傷。事件發生後，作者村上春樹以自由採 訪者的身份，親自訪問62位受害人，並將訪問內容結集成 《地下鐵事件》一書。村上春樹整理了每個受害者的成長背 景、職業、內心想法，他們都各自承受了不同程度的傷害， 有的人僅僅只是因為路過幫忙就不小心吸進了毒氣，有的 人深受後遺症困擾，也有站長因自行用拖把清理地板而死 亡。書中最讓我印象深刻的就是日本人的敬業精神，許多 人在吸入了毒氣當下，身體已經出現症狀，但他們還是拼 命忍耐著堅持去公司，甚至當發現自己可能會有生命危險 時，他們最先想到的是，還是必須給公司打電話請假，這 令我十分佩服。
Pearla Leung 4A16
