Sports Bra – Calvin Klein Performance, Skinny Jeans – Calvin Klein Jeans

翻譯/Translation – Jose Chu
攝影/Photos : Nick D for Precursorprints.com
造型/Stylee : 2 Dirty Guys
髮型及化妝/Hair and Grooming : Karen

SPITGAN : 你可以向我們介紹一下自己嗎？
Yvette Kong : 你好！我叫江忞懿Yvette。今年23歲，我是一個香港人。

SG：你的工作是什麼？
YK：我觸及的工作不少！ 除了游泳以外，我熱衷於傳遞情緒回復的訊息和在香港推廣體育。其中一個我常做的就是在不同的組織和機構舉行座談會。我很高興及榮幸可以擔任成長希望基金會的大使！我希望能夠努力提高大眾對貧窮兒童的認識。我同時也是個業餘的攝影師！

<< Chinese continued after English >>

SPITGAN : Can you please introduce yourself to us? Your name, age and nationality?
Yvette Kong : My name is Yvette Man-yi Kong. I am 23, and I am from Hong Kong.

SG : What do you do?
YK : I’m into a lot of things… Other than professional swimming, I’m passionate about passing on the message of resilience, and promoting sports in Hong Kong. One of the ways is to speak at various organisations and institutions. I’m very grateful to be anointed the goodwill ambassador of Changing Young Lives Foundation, and am doing work to raise awareness for underprivileged children. I’m also an amateur photographer!

SG : Are you living your dream?
YK : Absolutely. I am content with what I have now. At the same time, I’m excited for opportunities to better myself and others around me.

SG : What is the greatest sacrifice you have made to live your dream?
YK : Swimming has always been a huge commitment in all aspects – time wise, physically, emotionally and mentally. it takes up a big chunk of my life and there are some not-so-delightful things about it. However, I never see myself sacrificing anything. I gained so much from my sporting career that I think I’m in debt to the sport! The so-called negatives like having a very tight schedule, enduring tough practices, etc. in turn, upgraded me into a person of better skills and values.

SG : How did it feel to find out you made the Olympics?
YK : It was a mixture of relief and excitement. Going to the Olympics had been my dream for about 20 years. I missed it twice, narrowly, and to have made it, it was kinda surreal. It was too much to process at that moment. Without a thought, I just threw my arms up in the air.

SG : How did you find out about it?
YK : I had a race in Eindhoven in April (2016). I did my main event there, and I hit the automatic qualification time. So the qualification time for a 100 metre breaststroke is a minute, 7 seconds, and 85. My time was just below that, 1:07:69, so I automatically qualified for the Olympics. That was pretty cool! I celebrated in the water right away!

SG : Describe the feeling of entering the stadium during the Opening Ceremonies in Rio.
YK : I didn’t go. My race was 2 days after. I figured it would be too exhausting for me to walk the opening ceremony. Would have loved to be there though!

SG : How did you feel about your performances at Rio?
YK : I think overall, I am really happy with my Olympic journey – it’s been incredible! I felt there’s a little bit more in Rio in regards to my own performances; I would have loved to swim a little faster. That said, it’s been a huge learning curve with it being my first Olympics. There was just a lot to learn from that experience like handling media attention, and preparing for the biggest meet on Earth…

SG : So there was a lot more than just the swimming part?
YK : Yes. It was a whole new package to deal with.

SG : Will you compete in another Olympics?
YK : I am considering. You know by 2020 I’ll be about 27. Right now my main priority is to rest up. Get a holiday. Maybe get back in the water in a month or two, and start training to see where I am.

SG : Would you say your a competitive person?
YK : Absolutely. I am highly competitive. I always want to win, though I know that winning isn’t the most important thing in life.

SG : Would you say your a different person as an athlete compared to your day-to-day?
YK : I think its pretty much the same. The athletic Yvette, and the daily life Yvette is pretty much the same. Although, I would say I am a lot more intimidating when I put my goggles and cap on! That’s what people say too. I look so cool, and am about to murder someone. LOL.

Jacket – House of Holland

SG : Hahah. I see!
YK : It’s just my game face.

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