S'PORE ‘GREEDY FOR MORE’

Athletics chief Lien proud of team’s 3-3-3 haul, sets sights on a better 2027 edition

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Singapore's athletics medallists posing with their silverware at the Supachalasai National Stadium, where the SEA Games track and field events were held, on Dec 16.

(PHOTO: KONG CHONG YEW/SNOC)

Etched on the walls of Supachalasai National Stadium are the names of the region’s finest athletes.

Home to the 1966, 1970 and 1978 Asian Games, the stadium and its honour roll could soon make room for the track and field stars from the 2025 SEA Games.

Among those who shone in the venue during the Dec 11-16 competition were Vietnam's middle-distance runner Nguyen Thi Oanh — who won her 13th, 14th and 15th golds to become the Games’ most successful track-only athlete and Shanti Pereira, who made history for Singapore by clinching a rare 100m-200m double at consecutive Games.

Pereira’s two golds were not the only history-making feat for Team Singapore in Bangkok, with Calvin Quek clinching the 400m hurdles title to end a 60-year gold medal drought in the event.

Singapore athletics’ largest-ever away contingent of 39 among them 23 debutants - won a total of three golds, three silvers and three bronzes.

Expressing pride in his team, Singapore Athletics (SA) president Lien Choong Luen has already set his sights on an even stronger performance at the 2027 Games, noting that the fraternity is hungry for more.

He told The Straits Times: "I'm very proud but, on their (athletes') behalf, I am greedy for more."