The exhibition will feature Olympic gold medallist Edgar Cheung of Hong Kong, China taking on France’s world champion Enzo Lefort – a rematch of their Paris Olympics quarter-final. Asian Games bronze medallist Lam Hin-chung from the SAR will fence China’s Olympic gold medallist Zhong Man in sabre.
Lam said it is meaningful to bring the sport to an iconic cultural landmark for the first time, mirroring the Grand Palais in France, home of fencing at last year’s Olympics.
“It means a lot to me because last year when I was at the Paris Olympics, we were there, and [Edgar Cheung and Vivian Kong] got a gold medal in such a great place there,” Lam said.
“And we were talking about like, ‘oh, why don’t we do it in Hong Kong?’ The Palace Museum, it means Chinese culture in Hong Kong, and I think it’s similar like the [Grand] Palais in Paris. So that’s why we try to make it happen.”
Local rising athlete Hailin Chen, who will face fellow fencer Vivienne Lee, said she hopes to inspire youngsters through the exhibition match.
“Showcasing fencing in this grand venue can inspire younger fencers as well as just promoting the sport of fencing and inspiring younger kids to know the sport and also continue to play the sport that they like,” Chen said.
“I think it’s crazy that they’re able to fit a fencing piste there and for us to perform, and I’m just really excited to just be there and enjoy the game.”
The matches will be broadcast live on RTHK TV 32 and on a channel in France on August 26.
Local artist Elaine Chiu also created paintings to commemorate the Games, one of which will be revealed at the Palace Museum on the night of the matches.
Event organiser and GDCD Association Limited chairman Vincent Cheng said the Games is an opportunity for crossovers between culture and sport.
“We hope that this event can let more people know that we can promote sports from culture and we can also promote culture in sports, so it’s both ways. Hopefully we can have more crossover coming up in the future as well,” said Cheng, who’s also a DAB lawmaker.
Leading up to the National Games, GDCD Association Limited will host several community events around the Yau Tsim Mong district. Residents can participate in interactive booths and athlete sharings to learn more about the spirit of the Games.