Team Singapore women’s paddlers receive $625,000 for Olympic bronze medals

SINGAPORE: A total of $625,000 was handed out to Team Singapore women’s table tennis players for their achievements at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The cash is part of the Multi—Million Dollar Award Programme of the Singapore National Olympic Council.

A ceremony was held on Tuesday evening to honour all the Singapore athletes who competed at the recent Games.

The awards were presented by Guest—of—Honour Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and President, Singapore National Olympic Council, and Mr Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, at the London 2012 Olympic Games Awards and Appreciation Dinner.

"Your mental strength and fortitude represent qualities we can all learn from," said Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs. "You have blazed the trail and inspired many young people who now dare to dream even bigger because of you!"

The highlight was the handing over of the awards to the paddlers for their efforts in winning two bronze medals.

Feng Tianwei received $250,000 for winning the bronze in the women’s singles.

She also shared the $375,000 with team—mates Wang Yuegu and Li Jiawei for their bronze medal in the women’s team event.

Twenty percent or $125,000 of the total amount will go to the Singapore Table Tennis Association for the future development of the sport.

"We have had a tough year leading to the London 2012 Olympic Games, and I am very happy that we came together as a team to win two medals for Singapore," said Feng Tianwei. "The Olympic Games ended our year on a high note, and I also hope that our performance will encourage more Singaporeans to come forward to take up table tennis and bring more glory to our nation."

In recognition of their gallant efforts, Team Singapore London 2012 athletes were officially inaugurated into the hallowed company of Singapore’s Olympians.

They were each presented with exclusive International Olympic Committee pins and awarded Olympian Singapore medallions. Each medallion is unique and bears a special number, beginning from the first Olympian who took part in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

— CNA/de