Singaporean gymnastics judge Sng Puay Liang at the Bercy Arena in France. PARIS – There is no room for a lapse in focus for Sng Puay Liang, as a split-second decision can make the difference between gold and silver, or a medal and going home-empty handed at Paris 2024. While the 54-year-old is not among the 23 Team Singapore athletes at these Olympics, he is also sweating as one of at least 10 Singaporean officials who are in the French capital to help ensure the Games run fairly and smoothly.
Sng serves as a gymnastics “execution” judge who deducts points for mistakes during routines. Having officiated at the Commonwealth, Asian and SEA Games, he made his Olympic debut in Paris and noted that the pressure is not unlike what the athletes face. He told The Straits Times: “We get to judge all the star gymnasts from all over the world.
I am the only judge from South-east Asia, I would not want to make any mistakes in such a prestigious event and tarnish the reputation of Asian judges. Hence, the pressure I have felt is tremendous, and I have never been so stressed out before.” The former national gymnast decided to go for a judging exam after setting up a gymnastics academy.
He failed the exam initially before passing in 2006. Sng quipped: “As gymnasts, judges were the ones we used to blame for our low scores! My first judging experience was at a local club competition and I got a complaint from parents for awarding very low scores.” Here in Paris, he also worries .