The Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong was founded in 1949–50 and reorganised as a National Olympic Committee (NOC) in 1951. It changed to its present name of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China with effect from March 8, 1999. The federation is a member of the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees and has been responsible for organising Hong Kong's participation in such major multi-sports games as the Olympic, Asian, East Asian, Pacific and National Games. With a membership of 72 National Sports Associations (NSAs), it represents the collective voice of the Hong Kong sports community. Office-bearers, elected biennially, include the President, eight Vice-Presidents, the Honorary Secretary General, a maximum of three Honorary Deputy Secretaries, and the Honorary Treasurer.

    Members of the SF&OC are NSAs, which are in turn affiliated to their International Federations (IFs) and Asian Federations (AFs). They have the responsibility to develop and promote their specific sports and are managed by elected officers under either the limited company or registered society ordinances. They are empowered to coordinate and conduct a wide range of activities related to their sports, from organising sports and recreation programmes for beginners to training of elite athletes; organising and sanctioning participation in local and overseas competitions and tournaments and the training of coaches and referees. NSAs implement and enforce local and international rules and regulations, and they represent Hong Kong in meetings of the IFs and the AFs.

    The elected officers of the SF&OC and the NSAs are volunteers of high standing and expertise in their respective fields of sport. They are also the cornerstones in safeguarding the autonomy of the NOC/NSAs and in assuring a high quality of sports and recreation in Hong Kong.

    For close to half a century, the federation has coordinated a comprehensive three-month Festival of Sport, commencing in March every year. It also organises extensive education programmes for sports leaders, administrators, coaches and technical officials free of charge, notably through the Hong Kong Olympic Academy (HKOA) which offers free sports management and sport science courses and programmes.

    With the support of sponsors, each year the federation organises the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards, the 'Oscars' of Hong Kong sport, to honour the achievements of top sportsmen and women. The 2001 prize presentation was held in March in conjunction with the federation's annual spring dinner, which attracted a large turnout in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

    Led by Mr Timothy T. T. Fok, President of the SF&OC, as the Chef de Mission, Hong Kong made its debut in the Winter Olympics in 2002, with a team of three athletes and two officials participating in the Games held in Salt Lake City, USA, in February. The athletes competed in the 500 metres, 1 000 metres and 1 500 metres short-track speed skating events.

    In September/October, Hong Kong sent its largest contingent of 208 athletes and 109 officials to participate in the 14th Asian Games in Busan. The team competed in 28 out of the 38 sports in the programme, and the tally of 21 medals placed Hong Kong 16th overall among the 43 participating NOCs. In addition to the creditable medal results, team members also set new Hong Kong records in one athletics and seven swimming events.