Lee Wai Sze

In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Lee. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Sarah Lee and the Chinese-style name is Lee Wai Sze.

Sarah Lee Wai Sze, BBS, MH^[2] (Chinese: 李慧詩; Jyutping: lei⁵ wai⁶ si¹; born 12 May 1987) is a former Hong Kong professional track cyclist.^[1]

Lee Wai Sze

Lee Wai Sze in 2016
Personal information
Born	(1987-05-12) 12 May 1987 (age 37)[1] Kowloon, Hong Kong
Height	1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)[1]
Weight	54 kg (119 lb)[1]
Team information
Discipline	Track cycling
Role	Rider
Rider type	Sprinter
Major wins
Time trial 500 m, 2010 Asian Games Keirin, 2014 Asian Games Keirin, 2012 Olympic Games Sprint, 2020 Olympic Games Keirin, 2012–2013 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics Sprint, 2012–2013 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics Time trial 500m, [ Keirin, 2019 UCI Track Cycling World Championships
Medal record Women's track cycling Representing  Hong Kong Olympic Games 2012 London Keirin 2020 Tokyo Sprint World Championships 2013 Minsk 500m time trial 2019 Pruszków Sprint 2019 Pruszków Keirin 2016 London 500m time trial 2018 Apeldoorn Keirin 2013 Minsk Sprint 2017 Hong Kong Sprint 2020 Berlin Sprint Asian Games 2010 Guangzhou 500m time trial 2014 Incheon Keirin 2014 Incheon Sprint 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Keirin 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Sprint 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Team sprint 2010 Guangzhou Sprint Asian Championships 2011 Nakhon Ratchasima 500 m time trial 2012 Kuala Lumpur Sprint 2012 Kuala Lumpur 500 m time trial 2013 New Delhi 500 m time trial 2013 New Delhi Keirin 2014 Astana 500 m time trial 2014 Astana Keirin 2015 Nakhon Ratchasima Sprint 2015 Nakhon Ratchasima 500 m time trial 2016 Izu Keirin 2017 New Delhi Keirin 2017 New Delhi Sprint 2017 New Delhi 500 m time trial 2018 Nilai Keirin 2018 Nilai Sprint 2018 Nilai 500 m time trial 2019 Jakarta Sprint 2020 Jincheon Keirin 2020 Jincheon Sprint 2009 Tenggarong 500 m time trial 2010 Sharjah 500 m time trial 2016 Izu 500 m time trial 2017 New Delhi Team sprint 2019 Jakarta Keirin 2010 Sharjah Sprint 2010 Sharjah Team sprint 2011 Nakhon Ratchasima Sprint 2011 Nakhon Ratchasima Team sprint 2012 Kuala Lumpur Sprint 2012 Kuala Lumpur Keirin 2014 Astana Sprint 2015 Nakhon Ratchasima Keirin 2016 Izu Sprint 2019 Jakarta Team sprint

Lee at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in 2010

Her greatest success to date is winning the bronze medal in the women's keirin at the 2012 London Olympics, Hong Kong's third-ever Olympic medal and first in cycling. She won a second Olympic bronze medal in the women's sprint at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,^[3] making her the first Hong Kong athlete to win medals in two different Olympic Games.^[4]

Early years

Lee was born on 12 May 1987 in Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate, Hong Kong.^[1] She grew up in a poor family in Ngau Tau Kok, sharing a 200-square-foot public flat with her parents and two older siblings.^[5] Lee attended two schools in the locality, Bishop Paschang Catholic School and Leung Shek Chee College.^[6]

Although she was born with anemia,^[7] Lee represented her school in athletics in 100 and 400-metre dash.^[8][9] At Form 3, her school recommended her to the Hong Kong Sports Institute and her talent was spotted by the Hong Kong Cycling Association.^[8][9]

Career

Lee became a full-time athlete in 2004.^[8][9] Initially trained as a road cyclist, Lee was in danger of bowing out of cycling after a serious accident in 2006 as she swerved to avoid a stray dog during training, where she suffered a broken left scaphoid bone.^[10] Lee is coached by Jinkang Shen,^[1] who has also coached other successful Hong Kong cyclist including Kam-Po Wong.^[11]

2010

Lee captured the attention of Hong Kong when she won gold at the 500-meter time trial track cycling event at the 2010 Asian Games,^[12] in which she broke the Asian Record in winning the championship with a time of 33.945 s.^[13] Lee also won a bronze in the sprint event.^[14] In December 2010, Lee improved her Asian Record in 500-meter time trial with a time of 33.939 s in the 2010 Melbourne Track Cycling World Cup.^[15] Lee's performance has impressed the cycling hierarchy, and she received the Hong Kong Potential Sports Stars Awards for 2010.^[16] She also received the Medal of Honour from the Hong Kong Government in 2011 for her outstanding achievements in international cycling competitions.^[2]

2012

In February 2012 at the 2012 London Track Cycling World Cup, Lee upset Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton to win a bronze medal in the sprint event at the London Velodrome. She beat Pendleton 2–1 after losing to eventual champion Guo Shuang of China in the semi-finals.^[17] Lee also won a silver in the keirin final. The Union Cycliste Internationale described 24-year-old Lee as "a late revelation in the sprint events" after she claimed her second medal.^[18]

Lee was chosen as the flag bearer of the Hong Kong Olympic Representatives for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.^[19][20] She won the bronze medal in women's keirin.^[21] Lee's bronze medal feat handed Hong Kong their first ever Olympic medal in cycling, and only their third overall.^[22][23] Lee also participated in the women's sprint event although she did not progress through the 1/8 Finals after losing to Cuba's Lisandra Guerra. Lee eventually finished at the 10th place.^[24] Lee received HK$ 750k from the Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme for her achievement in the Games.^[25] In an interview with Ming Pao, Lee said she hoped her achievement in the London Olympics can inspire a new generation of Hong Kong athletes for the 2016 Olympic Games.^[26] She loved cycling but she is going to retire soon.

2013

After the Olympics, Lee had a perfect start in the 2012–13 World Cup opening series with a gold medal in the women's sprint in Cali, Colombia, which is her first victory in a World Cup event.^[27] This is followed by a bronze in women's keirin in the second leg, which was held in Glasgow, Scotland.^[28] Lee won her first medal in 2013 by coming third in the women's sprint event in the third leg of the 2012–13 World Cup series.^[29]

In February 2013, Lee carried on her good form and won gold in the women's 500m time-trial at the World Track Championships in Belarus.^[30][31] She became the first female and third overall athlete from Hong Kong to wear rainbow jersey. After the gold, Lee beat Guo Shuang of China in Women's Sprint and won a bronze medal, securing her second medal in Minsk. This is the first time any HK athlete won multiple medals at a World Championship event.

2014

At the 2014 Asian Games, she won gold medals in Keirin and Sprint. She also won gold in the Asian Cycling Championships for Keirin and 500m time-trial, plus a bronze in Sprint.

2016

At the 2016 Summer Olympics, in the keirin competition, she advanced to second round after coming in first in her heat. However, in the second round, she crashed after colliding with Anna Meares of Australia and could not finish the race.^[32] She was placed 7th in the competition. On the next day, despite still nursing her injuries from her crash from yesterday, she competed in the sprint competition. She won in first and second rounds but lost to Kristina Vogel of Germany in the quarterfinals. She finished 6th in this competition.

2018

Lee successfully defended her title in Keirin and 200m time-trial at the 2018 Asian Games.

2019

In 2019 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, Lee claimed gold in sprint and keirin. She became the only athlete from Hong Kong to earn multiple rainbow jerseys.

2021

At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Lee competed in both sprint and Keirin. In the keirin event, she lost in her heat in the first round but won in the repechage to advance to quarterfinals. She finished first in her quarterfinal heat to advance to the semifinals. However, she finished 5th in her heat and competed in the B Final for placement. She finished 8th overall in this event. In the sprint event, Lee advanced to 1/16 finals but lost to Katy Marchant of Great Britain to fall into the repechage. She won in the repechage and advanced to 1/8 final. She won in 1/8 final and quarterfinal. In the semifinals, she lost to Olena Starikova from Ukraine and had to race in the bronze medal match against the reigning world champion Emma Hinze of Germany. She won the bronze medal match^[32] and became the first Hong Kong Olympian with medals from different Olympic Games.

Personal life

Lee's idol is Great Britain's six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy.^[33]

Lee is a Baptist Christian.^[34] In 2009, she enrolled on a distance-learning course to study theology with the New York Theological Education Center Chinese Online School of Theology.^[35][36]

Achievements

2009

Asian Cycling Championships

2nd 500 m Time trial

ACC Track Asia Cup

1st Keirin, Bangkok^[37]

1st 500 m Time trial

1st Team Sprint (with Meng Zhao Juan)

1st Sprint

2010

2009–2010 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics

3rd Keirin, Beijing

Asian Games

1st 10m Time

3rd Sprint

Asian Cycling Championships

2nd 500 m Time trial

3rd Sprint

3rd Team Sprint (with EXZhao Juan)

ACC Track Asia Cup

1st 500 m Time trial, Hakodate

1st Sprint, Hakodate

2nd Team Sprint (with Meng Zhao Juan), Hakodate

2nd Keirin, Hakodate

1st 500 m Time trial, Kuala Lumpur

2nd Sprint, Kuala Lumpur

2nd Keirin, Kuala Lumpur

1st 500 m Time trial, Bangkok

2nd Sprint, Bangkok

2nd Keirin, Bangkok

2nd Team Sprint (with Meng Zhao Juan), Bangkok

2011

2010–2011 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics

3rd 500 m Time trial,, Melbourne

Asian Cycling Championships

1st 500 m Time trial

3rd Sprint

3rd Team Sprint (with Meng Zhao Juan)

ACC Track Asia Cup

1st Sprint, Bangkok^[38]

1st Team Sprint, Bangkok (with Meng Zhao Juan)^[38]

1st Sprint, Kuala Lumpur^[39]

1st Keirin, Kuala Lumpur^[39]

1st 500 m Time trial, Kuala Lumpur^[39]

1st Team Sprint (with Wang Xiao Fei), Kuala Lumpur^[39]

All China National Track Cycling Championships

3rd Sprint^[40]

2nd 500 m Time trial^[40]

2010–11 UCI Track Cycling World Ranking

1st 500 m Time trial

2012

Olympic Games

3rd Keirin

2011–2012 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics

2nd Keirin, London

3rd Sprint, London

Asian Cycling Championships

1st 500 m Time trial

1st Sprint

3rd Keirin

All China National Track Cycling Championships

2nd Keirin

2nd 500 m Time trial

3rd Sprint

UCI Track Cycling World Ranking

1st Sprint

2013

UCI Track World Championships

1st 500 m time trial

3rd Sprint

2012–2013 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics

1st Sprint, Cali

3rd Keirin, Glasgow

3rd Sprint, Aguascalientes

Overall 1st Keirin

Overall 1st Sprint

Asian Cycling Championships

1st 500 m Time trial

1st Keirin

UCI Track Cycling World Ranking

1st Time trial

1st Keirin

2014

Asian Track Championships

1st Keirin

1st 500m Time Trial

3rd Sprint

Asian Games

1st Keirin

1st Sprint

Hong Kong International Track Cup

1st 500m Time Trial

2nd Keirin

2nd Sprint

South Australian Track Classic

1st Sprint

2nd Keirin

Incheon International Track Competition

1st Keirin

1st Sprint

Hong Kong International Track Classic

1st Keirin

1st Sprint

Hong Kong International Track Cup

1st Keirin

1st Sprint

2015

Asian Track Championships

1st Sprint

1st 500m Time Trial

3rd Keirin

Melbourne Cup on Wheels

1st Keirin

1st Sprint

South Australian Grand Prix

1st Sprint

2nd Keirin

Super Drome Cup

1st Keirin

1st Sprint

2016

Asian Track Championships

1st Keirin

2nd 500m Time Trial

3rd Sprint

ITS Melbourne DISC Grand Prix

1st Keirin

1st Sprint

ITS Melbourne Grand Prix

1st Keirin

1st Sprint

2017

Asian Track Championships

1st Keirin

1st Sprint

1st 500m Time Trial

2nd Team Sprint (with Ma Wing Yu)

3rd Sprint, World Track Championships

2021

Olympic Games

3rd Sprint

References

1. "Wai Sze Lee". Athlete overview. LOCOG. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
2. "2011 Honours List". Press Releases. Government of Hong Kong. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
3. Shum, Michael (9 August 2021). "Olympians do us proud. Sarah Lee snatches bronze to swell HK's historic medal haul". The Standard. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
4. Chau, Candice (8 August 2021). "Cyclist Sarah Lee wins bronze at Tokyo Olympics, bringing Hong Kong medal haul to 6". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
5. 牛下女車神 寧用銅牌換親切感. 要聞 (in Chinese). 10 August 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
6. 李慧詩收起眼淚渴望被愛. The Sun. 體育 (in Chinese). 15 June 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
7. "Perfect model for our can-do spirit". The Standard. 6 August 2012. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
8. 母校老師對李慧詩獲獎感驕傲. 港聞 (in Chinese). 4 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
9. 母校老師形容李慧詩活潑開朗拼勁十足. 港聞 (in Chinese). RTHK. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
10. 沈金康曾勸李慧詩退役. Apple Daily. 體育 (in Chinese). 5 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
11. "Kam-Po Wong". Athlete overview. LOCOG. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
12. "Pots of gold". The Standard. 15 November 2010. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
13. "SHA congratulates Lee Wai Sze for winning first AG Gold". Press Releases. Government of Hong Kong. 13 November 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
14. 李慧詩亞運摘一金一銅稱喜出望外. 港聞 (in Chinese). RTHK. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
15. "Women's 500 Metres Time Trial Results" (PDF). tissottiming.com. 4 December 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
16. "Bank of China Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards". Olympic Committee of Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
17. "Olympic promise". The Standard. 20 February 2012. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
18. "Lee Wai-sze 'a revelation' at London Games test". Sports. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
19. "London 2012 Opening Ceremony – Flag Bearers" (PDF). Games London 2012. IOC. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
20. "HK Cyclist Lee Wai Sze Selected as Flag Bearer for Olympics". Sports. All-China Women's Federation. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
21. "Women's Keirin Results". Sport Olympics. BBC. Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
22. "Lee makes cycling history for Hong Kong". Yahoo!7 News. Yahoo!7. 4 August 2012. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
23. "Victoria Pendleton wins gold in the Olympics keirin". BBC Sport – Olympics. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
24. "Women's Sprint Results". Sport Olympics. BBC. Archived from the original on 8 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
25. "Bronze Medallist Lee Wai-Sze receives HK$750,000 under Heng Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme" (PDF). Press Release. Hang Seng Bank. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
26. 女車神李慧詩: 香港人不是垃圾. 港聞 (in Chinese). 10 August 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
27. Chan, Kin-Wa (14 October 2012). "Lee Wai-sze sprints to World Cup gold". South China Morning Post.
28. "Women's Keirin / Keirin femmes Results and Final Classification / Résultats et classement final". UCI Track Cycling. 18 November 2012.
29. "Women's Sprint / Vitesse femmes Results and Final Classification / Résultats et classement final". UCI Track Cycling. 18 January 2013.
30. "World Track Cycling: Becky James sprints to time trial bronze". BBC. 21 February 2013.
31. "Cycling results". BBC. 21 February 2013.
32. Siu, Phila (8 August 2021). "Tokyo Olympics: Hong Kong cyclist Sarah Lee overcomes anaemia and injuries; soars to bronze medal in women's sprint".
33. Lee aiming high after seeing Olympic buildup is on track Archived 13 September 2012 at archive.today The Standard. 22 February 2012.
34. 多謝教練，多謝上帝 奧運銅牌李慧詩：讀《聖經》令我冷靜下來. 新聞 (in Chinese). 可圈可點 Upwill. 6 August 2012. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
35. 香港驕傲 李慧詩信可摘金. 港聞 (in Chinese). Sina Hong Kong. 5 August 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
36. 李慧詩：向著標竿直「踩」. 關顧小組加油站 (in Chinese). New York Theological Education Center. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
37. "Track". Events. Asian Cycling Confederation. Archived from the original on 5 December 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
38. "Wai Sze Lee". Results. Cycling Archives. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
39. "ACC TRACK ASIA CUP – Final Round". Events and Results. Malaysian National Cycling Federation. Archived from the original on 21 February 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
40. "All China National Track Cycling Championships / 綜合成績全國場地單車錦標錦標賽" (PDF). 綜合成績 (in Chinese). Hong Kong Cycling Association. Retrieved 11 August 2012.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

External links

• Lee Wai Sze at Cycling Archives (archived)
• Lee Wai Sze at CycleBase
• Lee Wai Sze at Olympics.com
• Lee Wai Sze at the Chinese Olympic Committee (archived)
• Lee Wai Sze at Olympedia

Summer Olympics
Preceded by Wong Kam-po	Flagbearer for  Hong Kong London 2012	Succeeded by Stephanie Au