Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey showed out in Paris, winning bronze medals in the 100 and 200 freestyles, both of which were the fastest fields in history.
That put Haughey’s overall Olympic medal count at 4 (after winning double silver in Tokyo), making her the most decorated Olympian in Hong Kong’s history.
The world champion and NCAA All-American joined the SwimSwam podcast to discuss her experience in Paris, her iconic partnership with Chanel, and having no real training base but still staying at the top of her game.
The Japanese announcer at the Tokyo Olympics, channeling the WWE’s Howard Finkel, pronounced her name the best: HORRR-HEEE SHAAA-VONNN!!!
I think she’ll retire fairly soon.A bronze medallist at 26 years old.Siobhan thinks she can swim faster but so can many of the swimmers behind her.She would be 30 at the next Olympics,individual medals are tough at that age and relays aren,t really a thing in Hong Kong medal wise.She has a good idea what she wants to do after swimming, why not get after it now and get into your life,s work.
Sarah Sjoestrom and Cam McEvoy both 30 got gold medals at Paris so why not Siobhan. She certainly is talented enough if she wants to keep swimming. Still 4 years is a long time. She has such a great personality no wonder she is so popular in Hong Kong.
Her advantage is she can exclusively target the Games. If she gets the OQT selection is a formality.
What is the reason why Hong Kong (or Puerto Rico if not others) get their own Olympic team? Obviously she is tremendously talented and accomplished and would succeed on any country’s team but given that Hong Kong was absorbed fully and completely into China the rationale isn’t clear.
There’s actually a very good reason for this.
The current rule dates back to 1996, and so in essence, no new national Olympic committees from non-sovereign states would be allowed. If you’ll recall, there were A LOT of changes to borders in the decade going into 1996, so it kind of makes sense that the rules would shift.
The current standard is “an independent State recognised by the international community.” UN membership is the easiest way to clear this threshold. I would imagine that the first time this is tested on a fringe case, it’s going to be a political s***show. Bougainville, which is very close to independence from PNG, is likely to be the next new country, but that… Read more »
I want to know how much she’s turned down! The PRC must’ve made an offer they thought she couldn’t refuse. She’s well looked after in HK, obviously. On the mainland she’d be a superstar.
Coleman is that really how you pronounce Haughey? I’m pretty sure Jason, Dan, and Rowdy pronounce it differently. (Haw-he)
You can listen to her own pronunciation here: https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/siobhan-bernadette-haughey_1925125
Upon listening to link below, sounds like I’ve got it wrong and NBC team has it right. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!
It’s the swimming version of Faith Kipyegon. You get dependably different versions from NBC depending on who is doing the call. Most say Kip-yay-gun while others like Paul Swangard use Kip-yuh-gon.
Most athletes don’t seem to care if it’s pronounced perfectly, as long as recognizable
Coleman post-Olympics has been averaging Wilt Chamberlain stats.
Not all Wilt’s stats hopefully!
Wilt who “scored” 20,000 according to his own recollection? That Wilt?
Siobhan is an amazing and talented swimmer, but more importantly an amazing and talented human. As a family we have been honored to share your journey and success from Michigan to Rio to Paris. We love your family, we love you … and we absolutely love your smile!
Whoever downvoted this: lay off the haterade! Bad for the heart!