Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth
Team Singapore athletes
First, let me congratulate you on your remarkable achievement of representing our nation at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Each of you has shown us what it means to be a champion – to be counted among the world’s best. Thank you for flying our flag high at the world’s biggest stage for para sports.
All of you have put in an incredible amount of hard work and sacrifice to get here. Your sheer effort, determination and can-do spirit is admirable, especially given the disruptions and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. You have sacrificed so much, and done so with great courage and tenacity. You have demonstrated how you are not constrained by limitations, but instead are driven by what is possible. We are proud of you.
You have been an inspiration. Over the past two weeks, as you were giving your all at the Games, many of us back home are in awe by your determination and passion on the world stage. You have shown us that with hard work and sacrifice, we can realise our dreams. Your achievements also exemplify how a nation as small as ours can punch above its weight. I am sure that many Singaporeans were inspired by you.
I would also like to extend my deepest appreciation to your caregivers, coaches, families and friends, as well as officials from the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC). Special recognition and thanks must also go to the team at the Singapore Sport Institute, who has worked tirelessly to keep our athletes in peak form with sports medicine, sports science, and physiotherapy services.
I hope that you will share your sporting journey and experience with the community. Inspire and encourage other Persons with Disabilities to also lead an active lifestyle, so that we can build a better sporting nation together. Beyond sports, your can-do spirit will serve as a beacon for Singaporeans to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.
For some of you, Tokyo 2020 was your first appearance at the Paralympics. It must have been quite an exciting experience, and one that I hope will fuel your aspirations towards achieving greater heights of sporting excellence. I wish everyone all the best in your pursuit to return to this global stage in the future. We are all behind you as One Team Singapore.
Thank you.
Source: President’s Office of Singapore