Hong Kong, China: The Olympic Movement in Hong Kong and beyond is in mourning over the death of Con Conway, Vice President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, at the age of 72. A well-known face and popular character on the Asian sports circuit, Conway succumbed to a long battle with cancer at the Hong Kong Sanatorium Hospital on Saturday.

Timothy Fok, President of the Hong Kong Olympic Committee, Vice President of the OCA and IOC Member, said Conway’s death was a huge loss to the city’s sporting family. “He was involved in many sports, not only hockey, and knew many people,” Fok was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post.

“It was fitting that Con was part of the Hong Kong squad at the Olympic Games. My condolences go out to his wife.” Conway, an Irishman, had been a Vice President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, since 1992 and had been involved in Hong Kong sport since 1960.

He represented Hong Kong in athletics and hockey and was formerly a division one squash player. Con was Hon. Recorder of the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association from 1965 to 1970, Chairman of the Hong Kong Hockey Association Umpires Section from 1970 to 1980, and President of the Hong Kong Hockey Association from 1980 to 2001.

He was a member of the headquarters office of the Hong Kong delegation at several events, including the Bangkok 1998 Asian Games, Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Osaka 2001 East Asian Games and the Busan 2002 Asian Games.

Olympic Committee Secretary General Pang Chung said: “I visited him last week in hospital and we were making plans to take up an invitation from Brian Stevenson (Hong Kong Jockey Club chairman) for the races. Con was looking forward to that. It is very sad, but he did not give up right to the end.”

Conway was often accompanied on Olympic business by another Vice President, Karl Kwok, who was quoted as saying: “He was opinionated and very stubborn, but he was a genuine friend. If he promised something he would deliver.

We have been to four Olympic Games together and numerous other events. I will miss him very much.” Hong Kong’s Chef de Mission at London 2012, Vivien Lau, added: “This is a terrible loss for Hong Kong sport. He was a dear friend.”