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Public celebration planned for Yip and Team S'pore Paralympians when they return from Rio: Minister Grace Fu

SINGAPORE — There will be a public celebration of Team Singapore’s Paralympians when they return from the Rio Games, Minister for Culture Community and Youth Grace Fu announced on her Facebook page on Saturday (Sept 10).

From left to right: Screencap of Minister for Culture Community and Youth Grace Fu's Facebook post and Getty Images photo

From left to right: Screencap of Minister for Culture Community and Youth Grace Fu's Facebook post and Getty Images photo

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SINGAPORE — There will be a public celebration of Team Singapore’s Paralympians when they return from the Rio Games, Minister for Culture Community and Youth Grace Fu announced on her Facebook page on Saturday (Sept 10).

Ms Fu said that some people had asked whether there are plans to pay tribute to national para-swimmer Yip Pin Xiu’s gold-medal win in the women’a 100m backstroke S3 final on Saturday morning (Singapore time), which was also set in a new world and Paralympic record time, and her answer is ‘yes’ – there will be public celebrations for the entire 13-strong Team Singapore contingent which went to Rio. 

Ms Fu wrote on her Facebook page: “Very proud of spexScholar Pin Xiu, who set a new World Record at the Paralympics this morning. She mentioned that the swim was very tough, yet she gave her best. Because of her determination, we all got to hear Majulah Singapura at the Games. Her indomitable spirit is something we can all emulate and celebrate as #OneTeamSG.

“Some have asked if we have plans to celebrate her win, and the answer is yes. When our Paralympians return after the Games, we will have a public celebration to honour their extraordinary achievements.”

Last month, an open-top bus parade  was arranged for national swimmer Joseph Schooling after he won the men’s 100m butterfly gold at the Rio Olympics. Hundreds turned up at Changi Airport to welcome back the swimmer from Rio, while many Singaporeans also lined the streets and gathered at the various pit stops to cheer on Schooling during his victory parade. 

In the meantime, the Minister urged the public to get behind the other Team Singapore Paralympians who will be in action over the next few days. She wrote: “Let us also remember we have other athletes in boccia, sailing, archery, athletics, equestrian also striving to bring glory to Singapore. Let's get behind them and cheer them on!”

Several Team Singapore para-athletes will be in action this weekend. Singapore para-runner Norsilawati Sa’at will be competing in the women’s 400m T52 at 10.04pm (Singapore time) while Nurulasyiqah Taha and Toh Sze Ning are in the Boccia BC3 pairs.

Suhairi Suhani will be taking part in the men’s long jump T20 event on Sunday. In action too are national para-swimmer Theresea Goh in the heats of the 100m breaststroke SB4, which is her pet event, national para-archer Nur Syahidah Alim (women’s individual compound) and Muhammad Diroy Noordin who is competing in the men’s javelin F41.

The Paralympics will end on Sept 18.

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