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TODAY20: Life is not exactly a bed of roses for Singapore’s first Olympic medallist (Dec 30, 2010)

Over the past two decades, TODAY has played an active role in public discourse in Singapore and made a difference in people’s lives. To mark our 20th anniversary this month, we are re-publishing 20 of our most impactful news articles over the years.

In an exclusive article published on Dec 30, 2010, TODAY reported that Mr Tan Howe Liang, Singapore’s first Olympic medallist, was financially strapped. The report prompted an outpouring of public support. Among other things, a fund-raising dinner was held and NTUC FairPrice appointed him as an Ambassador for Active Ageing. He also received an undisclosed sum from an anonymous donor.

In an exclusive article published on Dec 30, 2010, TODAY reported that Mr Tan Howe Liang, Singapore’s first Olympic medallist, was financially strapped. The report prompted an outpouring of public support. Among other things, a fund-raising dinner was held and NTUC FairPrice appointed him as an Ambassador for Active Ageing. He also received an undisclosed sum from an anonymous donor.

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Over the past two decades, TODAY has played an active role in public discourse in Singapore and made a difference in people’s lives. To mark our 20th anniversary this month, we are re-publishing 20 of our most impactful news articles over the years.

WHAT HAPPENED 

  • In an exclusive article, TODAY reported that Mr Tan Howe Liang, Singapore’s first Olympic medallist, was financially strapped

  • According to sources, the former weightlifter, then 77, and his three children had spent an estimated S$100,000 on his wife’s surgery and follow-up treatments for breast cancer

  • Mr Tan, a 1960 Rome Olympics silver medallist, had been working as a gym supervisor at the then-Singapore Sports Council for close to 30 years and took home about S$1,000 a month, in addition to a S$390 monthly allowance from the People’s Association

WHAT NEXT 

  • The report prompted an outpouring of public support, as the sporting community and general public rallied around Mr Tan 

  • Among other things, a fund-raising dinner was held and NTUC FairPrice appointed Mr Tan as an Ambassador for Active Ageing. He also received an undisclosed sum from an anonymous donor

 

SINGAPORE — His silver medal victory at the Rome Olympics is etched on many Singaporeans’ minds.

On Sept 8, 1960, weightlifter Tan Howe Liang hoisted a total of 380kg in the lightweight category (under 67.5kg) to earn the Republic’s first Olympic medal.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Tan’s achievements at the Palazetto Dello Sport Hall but life hasn’t been smooth-sailing for the 77-year-old.

While he declined to be interviewed for this story, MediaCorp has learnt that the sports veteran is financially strapped after his 61-year-old wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.

According to sources, the former weightlifter and his three children have spent an estimated S$100,000 on Mrs Tan’s surgery and follow-up treatments.

A former store clerk and taxi driver, Tan now works as a gym supervisor at the Singapore Sports Council’s (SSC) Bedok facility, earning about S$1,000 a month.

In addition, he also receives a monthly allowance of S$390 from the People’s Association for his Olympic feat.

Tan, who lives in a three-room Housing Board flat with his wife and daughter, a teacher, also received S$10,000 from NTUC FairPrice in 2008 after the women’s table tennis team’s silver triumph at the Beijing Games.

While Tan has not sought financial assistance, MediaCorp understands that the sports fraternity here is ready to extend a helping hand.

Speaking to MediaCorp yesterday, Dr Tan Eng Liang, president of Olympians Singapore, said: “I don’t know much of the circumstances as he has kept it very quiet. (But) if he needs help, we will find out how to help and something will be done.”

Asked if there was a likelihood of Tan following in the footsteps of other Olympians and World Cup footballers who have sold their medals and memorabilia for cash, Dr Tan stressed that would not be the case.

The weightlifter’s silver medal, leotard and belt from the 1960 Olympics are currently housed in the SSC’s Sports Museum. They will be moved to the S$1.33 billion Sports Hub when it is completed in April 2014.

Said Dr Tan, who represented the Republic in water polo at the 1956 Olympiad in Melbourne: “The medal is a piece of Singapore history. If he needs help, the Olympians will rally around Howe Liang.”

Tan was drawn to weightlifting after witnessing a competition at the Gay World Amusement Park in 1952, becoming the national junior and senior lightweight champion a year later and kick-starting a career that saw him clinching four gold medals — Commonwealth Games (1958, 1962), Asian Games (1958) and the inaugural SEAP Games (1959).

His Olympic silver came a year later when he pipped 33 others in Rome.

Though he retired in 1967, Tan’s achievements were not forgotten by the international sports community.

In 1984, he became the first weightlifter to be given the International Weightlifting Federation’s Gold award. He also received the International Olympic Committee’s Silver Pin in 1989.

Tan went on to guide several future champions, among them Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Teo Yong Joo and Chua Koon Siong. He was also instrumental in getting Youth Olympic Games weightlifter Jamie Wee, 17, started last year.

Singapore Weightlifting Federation (SWF) president Tom Liaw said the association would lend a helping hand if required.

The SWF had approached Tan this year to sign him on as a part-time coach but he was unable to commit his time due to his wife’s illness.

Said Liaw: “We intend to find out more from him — we don’t know the extent of his financial situation as he is a very private person.

“If there’s a need, we will discuss it among the committee members and see what we can do to help raise funds.

“He is a sporting icon.”

Related topics

TODAYonline Tan Howe Liang olympics Surgery breast cancer weight lifting

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