Hongkongers wonder what Wang Junxia can bring to city, 29 years after Olympic gold
Hongkongers are questioning how former Olympic gold medallist Wang Junxia qualified for residency under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, 29 years after the end of her controversial athletics career.
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Wang and her 15-year-old daughter, Wang Danting, had their residency confirmed on Wednesday, sparking debate online as to how the former Chinese athlete, who still holds the 3,000 metre world record, could contribute to her new home.
A large number of comments focused on the 52-year-old's history as part of a group of athletes known as the 'Ma Family Army'. Coached by the notorious Ma Junren, they dominated athletics in the early 1990s, only to later admit they had been forced to take 'large doses of illegal drugs over the years'.
'She was part of the Ma Family Army, is she coming to Hong Kong to teach doping?' one commentator said.
Another comment questioned 'how much investment is she bringing to the city', before adding, 'don't tell me, she got nothing but was still approved'.
Wang Junxia at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Expo at Victoria Park in February, 2007. Photo: David Wong
'She's way beyond her prime now … any interschool runner could beat her now. How is she still? I suggested the Audit Commission or the ICAC and other departments investigate to check for any illegal behaviour,' another commentator said.
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