As global sports development enters a new era, the integration of science, technology, and education has become increasingly crucial. This convergence is transforming how we enhance athletic performance, prevent injuries, and make sports more accessible to all. This vision drove PolyU's Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) to host the 2024 Symposium on Sports Science and Technology. Co-organised with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, AquaBloom International Sports Technology Group and the Samaranch Foundation, the three-day event attracted more than 200 students, researchers, and industry professionals to the PolyU campus.

The Symposium’s opening day featured six former Olympic and world champions sharing their insights into sports technology applications and post-athletic career development. These included Olympic diving champion Ms Wang Xin, RISports Sports Adviser and PhD student at PolyU, who won gold in the women's synchronised 10m platform diving; Ms Zhang Ping, women's Olympic volleyball champion; Ms Ma Jin and Mr Chen Jin, world badminton champions; Ms Zhang Yuhan, world swimming champion; and Ms Sarah Lee Wai-sze, Hong Kong's first world champion in women's cycling.

Former Olympic or world champion athletes from the Hong Kong, China team, and national teams shared their experiences with sports technology at the forum. (from 2nd left: Ms Sarah Lee Wai-sze, Ms Zhang Yuhan, Ms Wang Xin, Ms Zhang Ping, Ms Ma Jin and Mr Chen Jin)

New international society to advance sports science and technology

A milestone announcement came from Professor Zhang Ming, Director of RISports, announcing the establishment of the International Society of Sports Science and Technology. He emphasised Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' between Mainland China and the international community, noting that Hong Kong's strong applied engineering research positions it to lead the sports industry through talent development and technological innovation.

The following two days saw scholars and experts from PolyU and prestigious institutions across Mainland China, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom showcasing innovations in sports biomechanics, intelligent wearable systems, and AI-powered training tools. Notable speakers included national swimming team coach Mr Cui Dengrong and Professor Lu Yifan from the School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Beijing Sport University, and Olympic champions Ms Wang Xin and Ms Zhang Ping.

New programmes to train high-calibre sports professionals

Looking ahead, RISports will collaborate with the Department of Biomedical Engineering to launch a new Master of Science in Sports Technology and Management programme and introduce a Sports Science and Technology stream in the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering Scheme. These new programmes aim to train hundreds of high-calibre sports professionals annually, supporting both Hong Kong and international sports development. PolyU’s commitment extends to providing comprehensive scholarships for elite athletes pursuing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, while developing tailored programmes that accommodate their unique study and training requirements.

Prof. Li Li (upper left), Professor of Kinesiology of the Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology at Georgia Southern University; Prof. Andy Harland (upper right) Professor of Sports Technology and Director of the Sports Technology Institute at Loughborough University; Prof. Ludovic Seifert (bottom left), Professor of the Faculty of Sport Sciences at the University of Rouen Normandy; and Dr Bob Chen (bottom right), a famous sports and physical rehabilitation expert in Mainland China, shared the latest research outcomes and products in sports science and technology.