Another Bronze

Singapore has won another bronze medal, this time in the women's Table Tennis team event!

This was the goal and the team has achieved it! Congratulations!

This is the first time I heard Singapore supporters at the venue being so vocal. This is also the first time that such a large group is present. The resulting feeling is quite heartwarming and of course, there's pride.

I love the way the crowds react and cheer, quite loudly, for their home teams. I love the way some of them go the extra mile to wear crazy hats, paint their faces and drape the nation flags around their shoulders. It is this sense of national pride that binds the people together. The cheers and groans are part of the charm in sporting events.

Perhaps, with time, more Singaporeans will be willing to go out there and support Singapore's athletes in that loud and boisterous way. Asians are so reserved, aren't they?

The Olympic Spirit

Only 1 week to go before the new semester starts. Like I said before, basically, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

In other news, Singapore has won a bronze medal in the Olympics! It may not seemed that significant as compared to the feats achieved by other nations' athletes but it's still an occasion to cheer because this is only the second time a Singapore athlete won a medal in a singles event. Furthermore, it's after a 52 years drought.

Thank you, Feng Tianwei, for achieving this for Singapore! 

I'm not even going to comment on how some petty Singaporeans are questioning her "nationality" and other rot. I reckon this is what people call armchair cynicism. The question is not what the country has done for you but what have YOU done for the country.

When was the last time you did something to make the country proud of you? When was the last time you bring hundreds/thousands of people to their feet and inspire them? It's pathetic how this "jealousy" is so prevalent in today's society.

I'm not sporty. But, I can appreciate an athlete's hard work and dedication. I admire them in the way they achieve their goals and more.

If there's to be something relevant to take away from the Olympics, it is that it is a good time for self-reflection.

Many of these athletes are in their teens to the late 20s. Where was you when you were 18 years old, when some have walked the Olympic Stadium and won their first gold? Where do you think you will be when you reach 25 years, when some are already retiring from their long yet successful career?

For some of these athletes, they are considered legends by their countries, mere humans like us can only hope to get a taste of it.

Sweet Victory

In case you haven't heard the news, Singapore hauled in 2 bronzes during this fateful day. It was a good day for us, especially from the football field.


We beat Montenegro 4-1 in the bronze medal match and it is sweet victory for us. It's been too long since something good came from the football field. If only we went in to the gold medal match instead...

Thank you, Cubs! For bringing joy to Singapore and invoking passion and belief in local football action again. I sincerely thank you guys.

I guess it is easy for by-standers to say "no, you did all this wrongly", "you should have done this, done that". But, by putting yourself into another's shoes, would we still keep these in mind? I think not. It is so different when on the pitch and sitting on the stands.

It had definitely been a roller coaster of emotions when I viewed the match on TV. I'm literally biting my fingers when Montenegro players were in better shape than ours. I believe, with stronger regiment and more experience, the young athletes will flourish and bring glory once again for Singapore.

From sailing, we won a bronze in windsurfing and lost out on the other two segments. Still, sailing is more difficult than other sports because there are 16 matches to compete in and sailors have to be in top shape all the way.

There will be good days and bad days and you just have to deal with the elements and luck.

With that, the YOG will come to a close, seeing that the athletes are nearly done. Improvements are obvious but normal Singaporeans should stand behind these athletes who gave in their best despite not necessary gaining the utmost experience during their training.

Because, we, unlike other countries' athletes have lives and other aspects to look into, like school. It is to my belief that some countries' athletes just dedicated their whole lives to that sport and perhaps, even never have proper education if they have to train from young.

Who knows what goes behind closed doors, right? All we see are stars, medals and accomplishments, but behind closed doors, who knows what punishments they get when they fail?

Someone should definitely do a study on this aspect of sport, of sacrificial and failure. It will be nice to know.