#171 olympic medal for singapore

In 1960, weightlifter Tan Howe Liang, at age 27, was the first to win silver medal at Olympic Games held in Rome. He came to Singapore at a tender age with his parents but had to drop out of school (secondary one) at the age of 14 when his father died. He stumbled on this sport at the age of 20.

Last evening, Singapore saw a silver medal won at Olympics in Beijing on table-tennis. The three women (Li Jiawei, Wang Yuegu and Tang Tianwei)  were originally born in China and I believe had received training since young in China.

Singapore today has her first generation of Singaporeans, that is, born and bred in Singapore but somehow was unable to breed some good athletes. Is this the result of being too well provided for and therefore too comfortable to achieve and endure some tough training? Or parents are pragmatists to realise that sports cannot bring steady rice-bowl to feed the family?

On 2nd thought, Singapore has produced some strong aquatic contenders in swimming, sailing and rowing.

Will there be a surge of interests in sports in the schools? Can we see greater interests placed in schools? 

Congratulations to Singapore for winning the silver medal losing out to China…table-tennis being their national past time sport.

Congratulations to ALL our athletes who represented Singapore at this Olympic Games! Getting into the qualifying rounds breaking personal best record is no mean feat either!