Max Maeder taking a wefie with fans during a meet and greet at VivoCity’s FairPrice Xtra hypermarket on Saturday, Aug 24, 2024. - ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): While she is not really a sports fan, Secondary 3 student Elsbeth Chan was nonetheless drawn to Maximilian Maeder’s bronze medal-winning feat at the Paris Olympics.
In an example of his ability to transcend sports, the 17-year-old kitefoiler, who made history as Singapore’s youngest Olympic medallist, inspired her to do better in her studies, said the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School student.
Elsbeth and her friend Faith Law, both 15, presented Maximilian with a bouquet of flowers and handwritten cards during a meet-and-greet session on Aug 24 at VivoCity’s FairPrice Xtra hypermarket with about 80 fans turning up.
“We took this chance to thank him for what he has done for Singapore,” said Faith. “I missed the previous opportunities to meet him in person until today.
“His personality is really nice and he is so humble, he also inspires me to do my best in what I do.”
Elsbeth said: “I think what Max is doing on the world stage also inspires me to do better in my studies. I really do admire his personality too. I watched the races during the Olympics and wanted to thank him personally for his efforts.”
Since returning from Paris on Aug 13, Maximilian’s schedule has been packed with media interviews, meet-and-greet sessions, public talks, private engagements, sponsor events and a bus parade.
Singapore Sailing Federation chief executive officer Leslie Tan told The Sunday Times that the teenager has already participated in nearly 30 such events, with more likely before he flies off on Aug 31 for his races.
Despite the whirlwind of activity, the teenager remains more than happy to oblige, acceding to every request and constantly flashing his signature boyish smile.
He had become Singapore’s sixth and youngest Olympic medallist after finishing third in the men’s kite on Aug 9, as the nation celebrated its 59th birthday.
In doing so, he also ended an eight-year wait for a Singaporean to step onto an Olympic podium since swimmer Joseph Schooling won a gold medal in Rio de Janeiro.
Besides flowers and handwritten cards, Maximilian also received letters, and countless autograph and wefie requests, from fans of all ages.
Ben Lim, 44, and Fiona Choong, 42, brought along their eight-year-old son Leroy, who hopes to represent Singapore in sports, to meet Maximilian.
Lim said: “It is important to have an example to follow and Max is somebody that inspires the young ones like my son. I think the message he sends across is also great which is to lead a positive and meaningful life. Even adults like us are so inspired by him, what he has done and what he says.”
The young kitefoiler was not the only member of the Maeder family who was busy at the meet and greet. His parents Valentin and Teng Hwee Keng also drew their own fans, some of whom are parents themselves.
Jean Lim, 59, was one of those who snapped a picture with Maximilian’s parents. She said: “My son used to swim and run competitively so I know what it is like being a parent to a budding athlete.
“And I am very inspired by how they have raised Max up. I wanted to come here and tell him personally how much we supported him during the Olympics.
“In fact, I told him ‘I love you so much’.”
Maximilian is only too happy to reciprocate. The homeschooled teenager told ST that he loves “putting a smile on people’s faces”.
He added: “I have been completely taken aback (by the support). It’s sad sometimes that I don’t get the time to individually interact with everyone.
“I’m more than happy to take time and make an interaction and see how I can light up someone else’s day, and I’m not here in Singapore often. So this is precious to me.”
After the VivoCity event, where the FairPrice Foundation presented a $10,000 cheque to the SSF towards supporting the nutritional health of Singapore sailors, Maximilian was whisked off to his next engagement, a meet and greet hosted by Yeo’s at One Holland Village.
His next race will be the Sept 4-8 Austrian leg of the KiteFoil World Series in Traunsee, followed by the Sept 17-22 Formula Kite and TT:R Open Asian Championships in Daishan, China.
Ever the competitor, Maximilian said he cannot wait to get back to racing, where more opportunities to transcend barriers await. - The Straits Times/ANN
