An athlete who wins a medal receives substantial prize money from winning competitions, according to Jockey Club’s Athlete Incentive Awards scheme. A gold medalist in fencing would receive around HK$12 million while silver and bronze medallists receive between 6 million and 1.5 million, respectively. Team event winners receive double the individual payout; at this year’s Olympics there were many outstanding performances by Hong Kong athletes such as fencer Vivian Kong winning women’s epee gold while swimmer Edgar Cheung Ka-long won two bronze medals each – just three out of many impressive performances were won by Hong Kong athletes! Fencer Vivian Kong won Gold while swimmer Edgar Cheung Ka-long won two bronze medals each while windsurfer Siobhan Haughey took two bronzes each!
The BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize (STIP) is a non-governmental, merit-based award funded by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation with title sponsorship by Bank of China Hong Kong Limited. This non-governmental, merit-based prize recognizes outstanding scientists or research teams in Hong Kong or related institutions established by local universities for their pioneering efforts in scientific exploration, development, innovation and application of research achievements for society’s benefit.
On November 1st, this year’s prize winners were revealed and include experts in artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering and materials science; along with artists and leading film directors. These prestigious awards were bestowed by Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and BOCHK respectively.
To ensure the fairness of each draw, several measures have been put in place. Employees from HKJC’s security and customer service departments meticulously test all items involved from boxing through transport; additionally they use an X-ray machine regularly to examine balls used in drawing; stored safely until used again during another draw.
This year also sees the introduction of a snowball deduction, meaning if no winner emerges in the first division draw, that money would roll over into a jackpot fund for future draws, increasing top prizes to over HK$100 million compared to their usual starting value of HK$8 million in first division prizes.
HKJC has established an independent committee to assess all applications and select winners, under Professor Tsui Chi-Wing’s chairmanship – former HKJC board member and distinguished scholar in molecular biology. The committee includes representatives from various academic disciplines as well as members from the general public. Past winners have included individuals and organisations for their contributions in education, culture, social services and community development, sports, science & technology, health & wellbeing and community affairs. These prestigious prizes are open to all residents of Hong Kong and provide an excellent incentive for both our citizens and younger generation to strive towards excellence. We hope that this year’s HKPF winners can serve as role models, inspiring a wider audience towards success while fulfilling their potential both professionally and personally.