Measures have been taken to ensure the safety of Team Singapore athletes at the Paris Olympics, said chef de mission Tan Wearn Haw (extreme right). - The Straits Times
SINGAPORE: The Singapore contingent bound for the upcoming Paris Olympics are “well prepared” to deal with hurdles in the form of heatwaves and security risks.
Tan Wearn Haw, Singapore’s chef de mission for the Paris Games, gave the assurance that plans are in place to ensure the safety of the athletes amid rising temperatures and possible security threats at the July 26-Aug 11 event.
Among the measures is installing portable air-conditioners in rooms at the Athletes’ Village, said the former national sailor, who competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
He said on Saturday (July 6): “It’s mainly to help during the daytime because some of our athletes may compete in the mornings and evenings so they do need to rest in the daytime, it won’t be an issue at night.
“In case of heatwaves that could happen in summers in Europe, we have gone through it, the team are well prepared. We have a medical team as well, with the sports scientists, so that’s on track. We’re not too worried.”
Tan was speaking to the media at the official flag presentation ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games held at the National Youth Sports Institute.
At the ceremony, sailor Ryan Lo and sprinter Shanti Pereira were unveiled as the Olympic flag bearers, while para-swimmer Toh Wei Soong will carry the flag for the Aug 28-Sept 8 Paralympics.
So far, 22 athletes from 11 sports will represent Singapore at the Olympics, and nine from five sports are competing at the Paralympics.
The summer heat has been a concern, with a study backed by climate scientists and athletes warning in June that the intense heat in France “could lead to competitors collapsing and in worst-case scenarios dying during the Games”. The Rings of Fire report – a collaboration between non-profit Climate Central, academics at Britain’s University of Portsmouth and 11 Olympians – said Paris conditions could be worse than the last Games in Tokyo in 2021.
While the Athletes’ Village was initially designed without air-conditioning to reduce carbon emissions, the organisers announced on July 2 that the 7,000-room accommodation complex will be fitted with 2,500 temporary cooling units.
Besides the heat, athletes at the Games are also worried about the security situation arising from the political uncertainty.
The far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen won a resounding victory in the first round of snap legislative elections on June 30, with French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrists trailing in third behind a left-wing coalition.
A second round of voting takes place on July 7, just 19 days before the opening ceremony of the Games. A hung parliament could lead to months of political paralysis and chaos.
But Tan expressed confidence in the safety plans and systems set up by the organisers.
The Singapore Sailing Federation secretary general said: “It’s a whole-of-Government approach. We work closely with our friends from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and all the agencies, including the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth which is helping to coordinate.
“We have all the plans in place should any situation occur, and I’m confident that the Games organisers have put a lot of emphasis on this (security) and they are ready to tackle anything that comes their way.” - The Straits Times/ANN
Besides the weather and security issues, the question of accessibility in Paris for visitors with disabilities has also been raised, but Ng Wee Chew, Singapore’s chef de mission for the Paralympics, believes the Games will be an inclusive one.
Efforts have been made to improve accessibility – the village offers multisensory signage and zones for assistance dogs and the city plans to up the number of taxis that can accommodate wheelchairs from about 200 to 1,000.
“The work has been ongoing, pretty intense. I would trust that the organisers would’ve done their best to make it a very accessible Games for all, whether abled or those who need a little bit more help and support,” said the Singapore National Paralympic Council’s honorary assistant treasurer, who visited Paris in September 2023.
Singapore’s Paralympic contingent will be led by five-time gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu. Among the nine athletes is shooter Daniel Chan, who is looking forward to his maiden experience.
Said the pledge taker at the flag presentation ceremony: “You don’t always get the chance to compete with the top shooters, so to be able to compete with them is a very precious experience.” – The Straits Times/ANN
