SINGAPORE — Team Singapore’s Paralympians were honoured on Monday (Nov 7) in Parliament as a motion was moved to formally recognise the achievements of its 13-strong contingent at the Rio Paralympic Games in September.
Among the nine Paralympians present in Parliament today to witness the moment were national para swimmers Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh, as well as Teo-Koh Sock Miang, former chairman of the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC).
National para swimmer Yip, 24, broke two world records enroute to winning the women’s 50m and 100m backstroke S2, with her two Paralympic gold medals adding to her haul from the to add to her two-medal haul (gold, silver) from the 2008 Beijing Games. Veteran swimmer Goh, 29, won the first Paralympic medal of her career as she claimed the bronze in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB4.
In her speech delivered in Parliament on Monday, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) Grace Fu said:
“Our Paralympians, with their incredible feats in Rio, have uplifted the nation. Adding to an already impressive haul of 1 Gold, 2 Silvers and 3 Bronzes from past Games, our Paralympians brought home another 2 Gold and 1 Bronze medal.”
Highlighting the achievements of each of the 13-strong contingent, Fu applauded Team Singapore for their “courage, determination, and fighting spirit.”
Added Fu: “Beyond medals, each Paralympian has shown us what it means to be a champion – to be counted among the world’s best, and fly our flag high at the world’s biggest stage for para sports.
“These 13 extraordinary athletes have shown us that with hard work and sacrifice, we can realise our dreams. Their achievements also exemplify how a nation as small as ours can punch above its weight.”
Special mention was also reserved for Paralympic medallists Yip and Goh. On Goh, who received the Public Service Star at the National Day Awards Investiture on Sunday, Fu added: “To us all, Theresa is a symbol of commitment, resolve and dedication. To all our aspiring athletes, she is a perfect role model. To Singaporeans, she represents the sporting hero that we all look up to.”
Yip’s two gold haul was also a special moment fort Singapore, as Fu said: “These were unforgettable moments as the Singapore flag was hoisted and the Majulah Singapura was played in the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio. Pin Xiu now has three Paralympic Golds, making her the most decorated Team Singapore athlete at the Olympics and Paralympics. Despite her achievements, she is always humble, grounded and appreciative of the support from her friends and family.”
