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 about his own elimination as he has seen judges sidelined from the competition.
This is why he studiously goes through past championship videos to practise his scoring. Singaporean William Lee is a diving judge officiating at his third Olympics. PHOTO: COURTESY OF WILLIAM LEE It is the same for diving judge William Lee, who still “feels butterflies in my stomach” despite this being his third time officiating at the Olympics after Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Other Singaporean aquatic officials at Paris 2024 include Ang Peng Wee – whose brother Peng Siong competed at the 1984 and 1988 Games – and Tiger Low (both swimming) and Steve Chew (artistic swimming) Lee got involved in the sport during the 2010 Youth Olympic Games on home soil after his son Timothy – whose twin brother Mark later followed suit in 2011 – got recruited from gymnastics to participate. They eventually went on to compete at the world championships, World Cup and SEA Games. As the sport lacked judges then, Lee got in on the act and attended development and certification courses by the world governing body.
He went on to become a judge, both locally and internationally. At the hectic Olympics, Lee finds time to appreciate the world-class divers’ “power, skill, artistry and gracefulness” from the “best seat in the house”. He said: “Some of these divers make extremely difficult and powerful dives look graceful and beautiful.
And when they have a perfect entry into the water, they “disappear” without any ripples. Called a ‘rip dive’, the impact on the diver’s entry also sends a shockwave that hits us poolside. It is a truly phenomenal experience.
” Sharing his own challenges, he said: “Each dive takes only a few seconds, and we must enter our scores into the keypad within two seconds of the diver entering the water. When we sit on the judging chair, it can be from one to three hours, depending on the number of competitors. “So it requires a lot of concentration over long periods.
We also do not get the benefit of video replays and we cannot confer with other judges before we give our scores.” Hockey umpire Lim Hong Zhen takes his preparation to another level, as he went on a 10-month fitness programme that included runs and high-intensity interval training for three days a week. He also officiates matches on weekends.
The former national player, who started international umpiring in 2007 and has been to all the major Games, takes it very seriously as officiating at the Olympics is “the pinnacle of a field hockey technical official’s career”. Likening each match to a “mini final”, he said: “Teams will play their hearts out and we officials must be ready from the first whistle to be on top of our game. This is a true showcase of our capabilities, dedication and hard work we put in, and we are able to let the world see how Singapore can produce top hockey officials.
” Off the field of play, Tessa Cho leads various administrative functions – such as accreditation, accommodation, transport, hospitality, ticketing etc – to ensure that a smooth and enjoyable Games experience for all at the table tennis venue. The 30-year-old, who has travelled the world to observe how different sporting events are hosted in 2024, noted that even at the Olympics, there is now “a lot more emphasis on the entertainment and show presentation aspect”. “Tokyo 2020 was highly restrictive due to the Covid-19 pandemic, while Paris 2024 has been very special with high spirits from both the locals and foreigners travelling here, she added.
Her compatriots from the International Table Tennis Federation and World Table Tennis that are also supporting in various capacities at these Olympics are Charlotte Lourdes, Chern Mo Yi, Natiyaah Sakthimogan and Joel Chan. While the support crew help to enhance the spectacle, athletes remain the heart and inspiration of the Games. Cho’s most memorable moment was at the mixed doubles medal ceremony, where photos of South Korea’s Lim Jong-hoon taking a wefie with his fellow bronze-winning partner Shin Yu-bin, second-placed North Koreans Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong, and China’s gold medallists Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha went viral.
Cho said: “The medallists shook hands with one another to congratulate them before going up the podium to receive their medals. While a small gesture, it was a heartwarming sight to see.” Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
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