Siobhan Haughey won Hong Kong's first Olympic swimming medal by taking silver in the 200m freestyle on Wednesday and said she hoped her achievement in Tokyo would inspire the next generation of Olympians back home.

The 23-year-old psychology major, already the first swimmer from Hong Kong to reach an Olympic final, looked set for gold before Australia's Ariarne Titmus chased her down.

Haughey's silver medal comes after Hong Kong secured a gold in fencing on Monday. It was Hong Kong's first gold medal in 25 years.

My achievement, coupled with Cheung Ka-long in fencing, can inspire other Hong Kong athletes who are here in Tokyo, and 'add oil' to them," she said after her race, a phrase meaning to keep drawing strength.

"Those swimmers back home - continue to train hard and you will be the next."