3. Olympic success fuels public enthusiasm

After fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long's triumph in Tokyo, registrations for fencing classes in the city rose up to 70 percent, according to the Hong Kong Fencing School.

Swimming became even hotter after Siobhan Haughey's double silver finishes in 100m and 200m freestyle in Tokyo. The city, with an area of only 1,100 square kilometers, boasts 44 public swimming pools and 42 public beaches and Hong Kong China Swimming Association, one of the national sports associations, is responsible for developing and selecting potential enthusiasts to turn them into professional.

According to a recent survey, more than 70 percent of local residents believe Hong Kong should send more athletes to compete in mainland and international events and hold more international events, such as the Asian Youth Games and the FISU World University Games.