As the sister of a national athlete, I’ve seen how much hard work goes into training relentlessly, week after week, month after month and year after year.
Here’s my sissy Lina, when our national women’s softball team won bronze medals during the SEA Games in 2015! Do we look alike in the above photos with Nila the Lion? I was really proud of my sister placing bronze not because they won a medal, but because I know how much sweat, blood and tears she went through during training for the competition.
Lina has been playing softball on the school team since secondary school, and carried on the sport even after she went on to junior college and university! She joined the national team as one of the youngest members, and has been actively playing for the team since then.
This is Lina during SEA Games 2015! Look at that intense look of concentration on her face and that seasoned posture in her stance.
That’s 12 years of undying passion and handwork dedicated to softball, and I’ve seen her always awake at the break of dawn for years, ready for practice despite rain or shine. Let’s not talk about the kind of injuries sustained from sports, she’s gotten herself hurt on more than one occasion due to accidents on the pitch, but I’ve never seen her throw in the towel or even contemplate the thought of giving up her sport no matter what.
Her weekends are always sacrificed for training, even though she has a full-time job now! It’s really not easy to be a professional athlete, especially in Singapore, but I truly believe that passion and dedication can produce greatness.
Greatness is not just about winning, it is really about the months and years of perseverance, dedication, pain and struggle! As a nation, we need to cheer on our athletes, not just to win a medal, but to celebrate all that they go through for the nation.
Although I don’t play sports competitively myself, I am very much a patriotic Singaporean and was more than happy to be there at Olympic Day 2016 where the Team Singapore Rio 2016 Flag Presentation Ceremony was held in conjunction with a non-competitive 3.6KM walk and other activities to celebrate Singapore’s participation in the Rio Olympics 2016!
I woke up really bright and early on a Saturday morning and was rewarded with the fine weather and magnificent view at Marina Bay.
Posing with these limited edition cans that were created specially to commemorate Singapore’s participation in Rio Olympics 2016!
Fun little stations were scattered around the area such as this cute machine. Give our athletes a high five and get surprised with a little gift, I got a Nila the Lion fan!
Looking at all the excited kids at the event, taking photos with Nila!
What really heartened me was also seeing the athletes involved in the Paralympic Games that will also be happening in Rio after the Olympics as well! They have my greatest respect for their determination and passion for their sport.
Loved seeing all the happy and excited faces and camaraderie going on at the event!!
Our minister for Social and Family Development, as well as the President of Singapore National Olympic Council, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, starting off with a speech at the Flag Presentation Ceremony!
Did you know that there will be 25 athletes representing Singapore in Rio de Janeiro this August? A month later in September, a record 11 athletes will represent Singapore in five sports at the Paralympic Games in the same city. Whoop whoop! What a major achievement for our tiny little island city!
Starting the 3.6KM non-competitive walk armed with an ice-cold drink! Let’s go!!
YZ and I half-way through the walk, the view was incredible at the Bay, especially with the fine weather!
Love these installations put around the bay. D-R-E-A-M!
Our scenic walk ended with this lovely view of Marina Bay. This view makes me so proud of our beautiful nation :’)
Back at the finishing line!
Oh, I thought it was really fun that there were various activities such as this Sailing station set up for participants to take a ride out on a sail boat!
It was so nice to see everyone enjoying themselves!
Cooling down and hydrating ourselves with more drinks!
The best way to stay hydrated!
So happy to be part of the excitement and celebrations for Rio Olympics 2016!
Brought home these limited edition cans! I love how they depict the three sports that Singapore will be participating in for Rio Olympics 2016 and that interconnected design!
I’m wishing my fellow Singaporean athletes all the very best! No matter what the end results may be, enjoy the process and always treasure the experience on this Road to Greatness! So proud of Team Singapore!!
GO TEAM SINGAPORE!