Records broken at Police Athletics Championships 2004
The day's first event began at 8 am with the hotly contested Men's 10 km race, in which a leading pack quickly settled into stride, and it was only at the bell for the last of the 25 laps of the track that SGT Chow Chi-keung of Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Headquarters, in the Veteran's category, pulled ahead of PC Lee Ka-bo of Western Division, in the Men's Open category, to cross the line, just in front, in 38'07".
The rest of the day's events followed in quick, efficient succession, partly due to the use of a new electronic scoring and "photo-finish" camera system installed at the venue. The morning's drizzle and the damp aftermath had not dampened the spirits as track records were broken.
Highlights of the day were the sprints and the relay races. Fastest man of the day was PC Li Chak-ming of Airport District, who won the 100m final in 11.23 seconds - just 0.13 of a second off the record. Another 0.24 of a second behind him was PC Tang Ho-cheong of Hong Kong Island Emergency Unit (EU HKI). Fastest lady of the day was WPC Kwok Yee-man of VIP Protection Unit who sprinted across the 100 m line in 13.06 seconds, just ahead of WPC Chow Chor-ling of Eastern District. The same lady then went on to win the 200 m finals.
In the Men's 200 m, PC Li Chak-ming of Airport District scorched round the track in 22.72 seconds; clipping 0.25 of a second off the old 1971 record! He crossed the line just two seconds ahead of PC Ng Tai-wai of EU HKI and PC Chan Yuk-ming of PTU E Coy.
The Men's 400 m was even more exciting with PC Tang Chun-yip of Wan Chai Division winning in a record time of 50.48 seconds, clipping 0.24 of a second off the old record set in 1982. He was pushed right to the line by PC Chung Kiu-man of Airport District and Acting SGT Shiu Tsz-leung of PTU HQ.
But there's nothing like the relay races to bring the spectators to their feet. In a clash of the Titans; PTU and Airport; the Men's 4 X 100 m relay went to Airport with their last leg lunging across the line right in front of PTU HQ, closely followed in 3rd place by EU HKI. And in the 4 X 400m relay, it was the same line-up again! The excitement in the stands was palpable as PTU and Airport fought it out, but it was Airport who had the finer hand-over technique that had given them the edge and won them the race.
And finally there was the ever popular Promotion Relay Race in which VIP Protection Unit just nosed in front of Commerical Crime Bureau (CCB) for the winners' trophy. But it was the last two runners from the CID Narcotics Bureau (NB) and Kwai Tsing District relay teams who had the spectators roaring: Kwai Tsing District Deputy District Commander Stuart McDouall just failing to catch NB Chief Superintendent Kenny Ip as they both staggered across the finish line.
The winner of the Specialist & Training Units contest was PTU - just ahead of Airport. For the Other Units the champion formation was CCB. The formation with the greatest number of participants was Kwai Tsing District. The "Victor Ludorum" trophy went to the fastest man of the day, PC Li Chak-ming of Airport whilst WPC Kwok Yee-man of VIP Protection Unit claimed the "Victrix Ludorum" trophy. And the "Carpe Diem Bowl", for the old men, went to Ian Strange of PTU HQ.
Trophies were presented by Director of Management Services Mike Dowie, during the day but the final presentation ceremony was presided over by Deputy Commissioner (Management) Fung Siu-yuen.
