Celebrate Singapore’s Olympians as a team

We have derived pride from seeing one of our own bring back a gold medal from the Rio Games.

As with any Olympic champion, it is a long road to reach the pinnacle of one’s success, with hard work, dedication, sacrifices made and support from family and friends. And what a celebration our nation had.

The timing could not have been more perfect: Just after our 51st National Day, with Parliament showing recognition and support at its sitting and before the National Day Rally. But on reflection, I wonder whether we could have done better.

Should we have waited for all our Olympians to finish competing in their remaining events or for all of them to be back here to celebrate?

Were we telling ourselves that there was no hope of more medals after Joseph Schooling’s gold? What message are we sending to our future Olympians?

We could have done better as a team — working, winning and coming back as a team. After all, we are Team Singapore.