Thoughts on Sports
Skepticism prevents enthusiasm. That is the personal lesson I have learnt now that the Youth Olympics Games has started. Before this opening ceremony, I was one of those who was not too enthusiastic about the coming of the YOG into Singapore, for a few reasons. The inconvenience like traffic delays, longer working hours in covering the games, being the host of a game and producing no winners of our own, post-NDP fatigue etc.
The moment that change all this perception is the lighting up of the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony. Seeing athletes whom I have photographed carrying the torch and running on floating bridges before the beautiful "running-on-water" by World Sailing champion Darren Choy fills me with pride. It was devoid of grandeur, yet creative and beautiful. And most of all, those were my countrymen.
The torch relay that spans across the whole island a week leading up to the Opening could have prepared me for this. Logistically, it was an achievement, and it really brought the spirit of the games to each and every corner of Singapore, and every uncle and auntie sitting at the coffeeshop or hanging out their laundry could have seen or heard the flame passing up. I follwed it for half a day and the story of the 12 yrs old boy chasing the flame for 2.5 hrs and 15km touches our hearts. That was the pure determination and innocence of a child, who does not need motivation in other forms that even professional athletes desire. It was a simple story that carries an undelying message to Singaporean what sports is about.
Sidenote: I have never considered F1 to be a sport. It is a show, of fast cars, and women. Drivers are stars only because we made them out to be. Will they be as good if more people have access to racing cars? How much does it take to form a F1 racing team, as compared to a football team or a pair of running shoes?
I covered the first event of the Games, the girls triathlon. After covering games overseas, its a nice feeling to be wearing the photog vest at home, and I can go home to take a shower right after it ends.
The IOC has decided not have a medal tally, for the YOG to allow sportsmanship and the spirit of sports to prevail. That is a good move, but the media has started to maintain a medal tally of their own.
Being a sportsman myself in my schooldays, I am able to feel the tension, ecstatic, the lump in your throat beside the start of the race, or the goosebumps as the crowd cheered you, while shooting from the sidelines. Sports has benefitted me for life, the sacrifices made and the pain endured prepares you for life's challenges, and I will be supportive if my kids chose to be an athlete. I think Jiaxin is developing well for a runner....but its tough sport. Maybe a fencer will be fine.
There is a tinge of regret for pulling out of the YOG team due to my studies, but the Games will pass, and the next one will come along (not in Singapore though), but an opportunity for an education should not be missed. I will not be involved too much in this one, the most I can do is to catch the highlights every night. Organizing a Games of such scale is not small feat, and we have done it in 2 years. So, bask in the glory while it last.
The moment that change all this perception is the lighting up of the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony. Seeing athletes whom I have photographed carrying the torch and running on floating bridges before the beautiful "running-on-water" by World Sailing champion Darren Choy fills me with pride. It was devoid of grandeur, yet creative and beautiful. And most of all, those were my countrymen.
The torch relay that spans across the whole island a week leading up to the Opening could have prepared me for this. Logistically, it was an achievement, and it really brought the spirit of the games to each and every corner of Singapore, and every uncle and auntie sitting at the coffeeshop or hanging out their laundry could have seen or heard the flame passing up. I follwed it for half a day and the story of the 12 yrs old boy chasing the flame for 2.5 hrs and 15km touches our hearts. That was the pure determination and innocence of a child, who does not need motivation in other forms that even professional athletes desire. It was a simple story that carries an undelying message to Singaporean what sports is about.
Sidenote: I have never considered F1 to be a sport. It is a show, of fast cars, and women. Drivers are stars only because we made them out to be. Will they be as good if more people have access to racing cars? How much does it take to form a F1 racing team, as compared to a football team or a pair of running shoes?
I covered the first event of the Games, the girls triathlon. After covering games overseas, its a nice feeling to be wearing the photog vest at home, and I can go home to take a shower right after it ends.
The IOC has decided not have a medal tally, for the YOG to allow sportsmanship and the spirit of sports to prevail. That is a good move, but the media has started to maintain a medal tally of their own.
Being a sportsman myself in my schooldays, I am able to feel the tension, ecstatic, the lump in your throat beside the start of the race, or the goosebumps as the crowd cheered you, while shooting from the sidelines. Sports has benefitted me for life, the sacrifices made and the pain endured prepares you for life's challenges, and I will be supportive if my kids chose to be an athlete. I think Jiaxin is developing well for a runner....but its tough sport. Maybe a fencer will be fine.
There is a tinge of regret for pulling out of the YOG team due to my studies, but the Games will pass, and the next one will come along (not in Singapore though), but an opportunity for an education should not be missed. I will not be involved too much in this one, the most I can do is to catch the highlights every night. Organizing a Games of such scale is not small feat, and we have done it in 2 years. So, bask in the glory while it last.
posted by Kwang Peng at 8:26 PM
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