When two skaters were ready in position for start of the men's 5,000m short track relay at the Harbin Asian Winter Games, fellow competitor Sidney K Chu of Hong Kong, China was still fumbling with his helmet strap.

The 25-year-old dashed onto the ice, hurriedly making adjustments to his helmet, before the referee gave the nod to commence.

Sidney K Chu of Hong Kong, China competes during the men's 1,500m short-track speed skating match at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Feb 7, 2025. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

His last-minute scramble was not due to a lack of preparation. Actually, he was balancing two demanding disciplines at the same time - short track speed skating and speed skating.

Signing up for eight events across both disciplines, Chu was in a constant race. "As soon as I take off my speed skating boots, I have to switch to my short track skates. Sometimes, I only have 20 minutes between events, and I'm literally sprinting between venues. My actual preparation time might only be 30 seconds," he said.

However, his crazy schedule was never about chasing medals. "Every race I compete in is an opportunity for Hong Kong's winter sports team to gain more attention," Chu noted.

A RACE AGAINST TIME AND LIMITS

Last Saturday marked the busiest day for Chu at the Games across two venues. He first competed in the short track men's 1,500m final B at around 11:30 in the morning, after which he rushed to the speed skating arena for the men's 100m at noon.

"Honestly, I didn't expect to make the 1,500m final B," said Chu. "There wasn't enough time for me to warm up or get used to the new skates."

Although he finished 18th out of 22 competitors in the men's 100m event, it was still a milestone for him with a time of 10.94 seconds. "This was my first time competing in an international speed skating event. There are few professional speed skaters in Hong Kong, so I want to challenge myself and show more people the charm of the sport," Chu noted.

"Short track is intense and tactical, but speed skating gives me a sense of freedom. It gives me the original thrill of gliding on ice, like I'm flying," remarked Chu.

GROWING FERVOR FOR WINTER SPORTS IN HONG KONG

Chu first captured public attention at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where he's the Hong Kong delegation's flagbearer at the opening ceremony. His confident stride and fluency in a northeastern Chinese dialect not commonly spoken in Hong Kong made him a viral sensation.

Back then, he was the sole ice sports athlete representing Hong Kong, China. But just three years later at the Asian Winter Games, his team made history by sending a six-member squad and competing in two team relay events for the first time. "This is definitely a breakthrough," Chu noted.

The growing presence of Hong Kong athletes on the international stage reflects the rising popularity of winter sports in the region. In the past two years, more ice rinks opened, and new speed skating programs were launched there. "When I picked up the sport in Hong Kong, I had only 20 teammates. Now the number has hit 200," he said.

Chu played a big role in this progress. After Beijing 2022, he founded the Hong Kong Speed Skating Academy to develop training programs and promote the sport.

"Beijing 2022 gave us a window into the world of winter sports, and I want to keep that momentum going," he added.

A BIGGER DREAM

Despite the challenges of developing winter sports in a city without natural ice or a strong tradition in skating, Chu remains optimistic.

"Many asked me why we pursue ice sports in Hong Kong, where it's warm all year round. I think it's rooted in the Lion Rock Spirit of Hong Kong - we persevere against all odds. No matter the conditions and difficulties, we will push forward - from nothing to something."

As his journey at the Harbin Games is about to conclude, Chu has another mission before leaving: fulfilling a promise to young skaters back home.

"At Beijng Winter Olympics, I brought back 30 Bing Dwen Dwen mascot dolls for children, and they were so happy. This time, I'll bring them the Harbin mascots, Bin Bin and Ni Ni. It has been our tradition," he said.

Looking ahead, Chu, who is also pursuing a PhD in chemical pathology, knows there may be a time when he steps away from competitive skating. But when that day comes, he hopes the next generations will take Hong Kong's ice sports to even greater heights.

"If I don't get to fly high enough, I hope the next generation will," he said. "Maybe in four or eight years, a Hong Kong skater will stand on an Olympic podium."