Singapore’s Olympic Swimmers: A Call to Chill, Cheer, and Keep Swimming
At the Tokyo Olympics, the city‑state’s biggest hopes for medals went a little sideways. The 26‑year‑old champion Joseph Schooling could’t make the semi‑finals, while table tennis star Yu Mengyu slipped in the bronze‑medal play‑off. But every top government and sports figure on the line, from the President to the coach, rolled out the same message: “Support them. Be kind. Stay in the game.”
President Halimah Yacob’s Warm‑Up Speech
In a heartfelt Facebook post, President Halimah reminded Singaporeans that we’re quick to lift athletes up on the gold‑spot but just as fast to tumble them when they tumble. She said it all came with a pinch of humour: “It’s almost as if we forget we’re all human—except when judging each other.” She also lauded the pressure our athletes breathe and how they “fight through the sweat and the crowd” even when the medals aren’t in sight.
- “Feel sorry for people who call out the bad names.” The President noted the online onslaught that can follow a loss.
- “Remember how we celebrated Joy (Schooling) back in 2016.” She urged us to keep cheering, not just when they shine.
- “A kind society is more than just dollars and growth.” A gentle reminder that moral support matches structural progress.
Minister for Culture, Edwin Tong – “Same Stitches, Same Ties”
While flying to Japan, Edwin Tong voiced a similar sentiment. He reminded his fellow citizens: “We can’t flood the glory and then vacuum the disappointment.” He travelled the distance to emphasise that when medals slip, the nation should keep its stickiness of pride and solidarity. Tong talked about the 12 August 2016 memory of Jo (Schooling) at the beach of Olympic dreams.
Key Takeaway from Edwin Tong’s Post
He rallied the public, “Let’s stay present whether the medals are shining or overflowing about the scores.” It was a call for an unshaky commitment that values the process over the prize.
Parliament Speaker Tan Chuan‑Jin – The “Struggle Is the Real Victory” Pep‑Talk
During a quick tweet from Tokyo to the Senate, the Honourable Tan Chuan‑Jin added his voice to the chorus. He sighed at the fact that most will not stand on the podium, but in the spirit of the Olympic creed “the real win is the struggle.” He was like the coach who says, “Mum’s tips, think of a gain many not a gain one.”
Notable Highlights
- “Suffering is part of the lesson.” Tan said that the feeling hurts only the athletes who do their daily animal‑squeeze training.
- “Remember you’re not just a medal hunter.” A reminder that the spirit of the Olympic movement is at the core of changing lives.
Coach Sergio Lopez – A Giddy “Veteran’s Embrace” Moment
Sergio Lopez – the former Olympic bronze medalist and previous head coach of the Singapore team – posted a picture of him holding Schooling during the heats, showing a very sincere “energetic ticky‑tack.” He recalled passing coaching contact back in 2010 when Schooling was a kid in Florida and later reacquainted with him in 2020.
Lopez’s Instagram caption was delightfully obvious: “Humiliation is the worst. Perfection is in bleach of edges. Thank you for the ride.” The coach’s words were like a joke that cracks open a smile in every viewer.
Coaching Notes
- “All perfection is just a bright needle.” Lopez encouraged acceptance of imperfection.
- “Still, we keep moving.” He packaged his philosophy into a pep‑for‑ever.
What Made It So Loud? That’s the Story
Joseph Schooling, dubbed the record holder and 100‑meter butterfly champion, didn’t pass the semis because his times fell short of the previous event’s energy. While the scoreboard had him rank 44th out of 55, the court of public opinion had been less forgiving. Yu Mengyu slipped at the finale, and though the team had been hopeful, they can’t claim a medal. Nevertheless, the socio‑political ripple is the same: stick with the team no matter what.
As the Medals were tossed on the podium, the national civil bodies – whether it be the President, the Minister, Senators or the coaches – all chimed in with an echoing chorus of supportive‑in‑action.
In Summary
- All top leaders said the same: keep the Naive high‑lighting and cheer after how the medaling coefficient didn’t come near the scoreboard.
- They stressed that Athletes do the Tots struggle for the glory, that it is an act that habits on any other way.
- Lastly, the resilience is the real prize.
So, no matter the scores or the fail, we must keep our hearts in the country’s athletes. Put the “kind” in kindness, the “support” in help, and the “love” in love. Keep swimming, keep stepping, keep cherishing the real MVPs that propel Singapore toward the global arena.
