Right after news broke that Yip Pin Xiu would be receiving $200,000 for winning a gold at this year’s Paralympics, the discussion online was whether there was a difference between her feat and that of Joseph Schooling’s, and if she should receive the same prize money as him. Schooling received $1 million in reward for his gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
But let’s be clear on two things first. First, the amount of prize money, Yip said, “Over the years, I’ve always had friends coming up to me and said I should be given more. But I don’t make a hoo-ha about it. Because we don’t do it for the money.” Second, the prize money is administered differently by separate set-ups. For the Olympians, the cash reward, known as the Multi-Million Dollar Awards Programme (MAP) is administered by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC). For the Paralympians, the cash reward, known as Athlete's Achievement Award (AAA), is administered by the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC).
Both comes from the Tote Board, a statutory board under the Ministry of Finance, which "earns" money via takings from Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club; and the collection of casino entry levy from the two integrated resorts in Singapore. The money is then distributed to different charities and needy groups.
related: The number of companies congratulating world record breaker Yip Pin Xiu is absolutely incredible
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National para-athlete body calls for more recognition, support for its members
Ten Team Singapore para-athletes will compete in six sports, including at the Paris Paralympic Games, including archer Nur Syahidah and boccia player Jeralyn Tan (front row)
Singapore’s para-athletes juggle disabilities and a rigorous training schedule to represent the nation at international competitions.
As they prepare to hopefully bring home sporting glory at the Paris Games that begins on Wednesday (Aug 28), the national body that represents them has called for more recognition and support - similar to that given to Olympic athletes. “They go through the sweat, they go through the tears, they go through the tiredness. We don't see that,” said Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, president of the Singapore National Paralympic Council.
“As (the) public, we only see them for those few seconds in competition, so I really need for everyone to understand and recognise that they really have put in so much hard work.” Their tenacity and effort are opportunities for people to reflect on themselves, she added. “Let's have them as our inspiration. Let's have them as a role model for what excellence can look like,” she said.
related:
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Para-athletes to receive higher cash rewards for medal wins at major Games
Singapore para-athletes who win medals at most of the major Games can soon expect higher cash rewards, the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) announced on Saturday (Jul 2).
The revised incentives under the Athletes Achievement Awards (AAA) scheme will start from the upcoming ASEAN Para Games, which will be held this month in Indonesia's Solo City.
For the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, the cash reward for a gold medal has been raised from S$400,000 to S$500,000.
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Yip Pin Xiu gets S$800,000 for two gold medals at Tokyo Paralympics
Yip Pin Xiu, who won two gold medals at the Tokyo 20202 Paralympic Games in August, was presented with two cheques amounting to S$800,000 on Oct 16, 2021
Five-time Paralympic gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu will receive S$800,000 for the two gold medals she won at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in August, said the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) on Saturday (Oct 16).
The cash award is twice what Yip would have originally received, after DBS Bank stepped in as a new sponsor. SNPC announced on Saturday that DBS will match the council's Athletes Achievement Awards (AAA), the cash incentive scheme for Singaporean athletes who win medals at major para games. DBS comes on board alongside primary sponsor Tote Board.
"(DBS') initial commitment will span two Paralympic Games cycles, until the Paralympic Games 2024 in Paris," said SNPC. The funding by DBS will also cover the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Para Games, Asian Para Games and the Commonwealth Games. The move comes in the wake of public discussion over the disparity in cash awards. Joseph Schooling received S$1 million for the gold medal he won at the 2016 Rio Games.
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With DBS as new sponsor, cash awards for para-athletes to double for all medal categories until 2024: Paralympic council
Singapore's Paralympic gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu celebrating after the women's 100m backstroke swimming event during the Tokyo Paralympic Games on Aug 25, 2021
The cash awards given out to para-athletes who compete in major games will double across all medal categories with a new sponsor, DBS bank, backing the scheme from this year until 2024, the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) said.
The prizes are handed out to para-athletes who have attained medals at major para-games. They recognise their achievements and commitment to competing at the highest level of their sport for Singapore. The latest move means that Paralympic gold medallist and swimmer Yip Pin Xiu will receive S$800,000 for her two Paralympic gold medals this year, up from S$400,000, SNPC said in a statement on Saturday (Oct 16).
Ms Yip described the move as a step in the right direction. “I am glad that Singapore is taking active steps towards achieving parity for the cash quantum,” said the former Nominated Member of Parliament, who is setting her sights on the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France.
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Warm welcome for Singapore's Paralympians after returning from landmark showing at 2024 Games
Group photo of the Team Singapore Paris 2024 Paralympians
A warm welcome greeted Singapore's Paralympians at Changi Airport on Tuesday (Sep 10) as they returned home after a landmark showing at the Paralympics. The contingent of athletes and officials touched down at about 6am and were welcomed with loud cheers and applause when they eventually emerged into the arrival hall at Terminal 3.
Among the arriving contingent was Yip, who notched a double three-peat at the Paris Games. The Singaporean won the 50m backstroke S2 and the 100m backstroke S2 for the third consecutive time since 2016. There was also a historic boccia silver for Tan. The 32-year-old became the first Singaporean to claim a medal at the Games in the sport. Tan was making her Games debut. She became only Singapore's fourth Paralympic medallist, joining swimmers Yip, Theresa Goh and equestrian Laurentia Tan in the history books.
Team Singapore's contingent of 10 athletes concluded their Games 2024 campaign with three medals - two gold (swimming) and one silver (boccia). This meant that they bettered the two golds and one bronze at the 2016 Games. The most medals Singapore have won at the Paralympics was at the 2008 edition when they took home one gold, one silver and two bronzes.
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Singapore's Jeralyn Tan clinches historic boccia silver medal at Paris Paralympics 2024
Singapore's Jeralyn Tan in her finals match against France’s Aurelie Aubert on Sep 2, 2024, at the Paris Paralympics
Jeralyn Tan clinched a historic boccia silver for Singapore at the Paris Paralympics on Monday (Sep 2), the country's very first medal in the sport.
The 35-year-old world number 2 lost to home favourite Aurelie Aubert 4-5 in the women’s individual BC1 final.
But she nevertheless becomes only Singapore's fourth Paralympic medallist, joining swimmers Yip Pin Xiu, Theresa Goh and equestrian Laurentia Tan in the history books.
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Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC)
Founded on 23 June 2008, the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) is an Institution of Public Character (IPC) that focuses on supporting and empowering Singapore’s para athletes and is responsible for fielding Singapore teams for the ASEAN Para Games, Asian Para Games, Asian Youth Para Games, Commonwealth Games and Paralympic Games.
As a member of the International Paralympic Committee, the SNPC is part of a worldwide social change movement, which uses the power of sport to positively influence community perceptions of people with disabilities and to promote a more diverse and inclusive society by educating and strengthening the values of the Paralympic Movement and Paralympic aspirations in Singapore.
We believe that our athletes are more than sporting icons and can inspire beyond the sporting arenas, touching the hearts and minds of individuals throughout society. As part of the mission to grow and strengthen the Paralympic movement in Singapore, we work closely with international and local affiliates, national sports organisations and partners to provide sports programmes, expertise and opportunities for competitive development from beginner to elite levels.
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Singapore debates whether Paralympic and Olympic gold winners should receive the same rewards
Singaporean swimmer Yip Pin Xiu, who was born with a muscular dystrophy, won two gold medals in the 2016 Paralympics. She is assured of receiving 200,000 Singapore Dollars (US$146,000) for each gold medal she won in Rio de Janeiro.
But her supporters are asking the government to give her at least $1,000,000, the same amount received by swimmer Joseph Schooling, who won a gold medal in Rio last month. Aside from defeating the legendary swimmer Michael Phelps, there was the small matter of Schooling’s gold medal being the country’s first at an Olympics.
Some Singaporean netizens want equal treatment for Olympians and Paralympians. Some even reminded authorities that it was Yip Pin Xiu who gave Singapore its first gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
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The Workers’ Party calls for national paralympians to receive the same prize awards as their able-bodied counterparts
The Workers’ Party (WP) in congratulating paralympians Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh for clinching Singapore’s first gold medal and a bronze medal at the Rio Paralympic Games said that they deserve the same respect and value as able-bodied athletes.
The opposition party said that the athletes dedication, sacrifice, discipline, and an indomitable fighting spirit should be recognised and that the smaller pool of competitors at the Paralympic Games should not be reason to deny them the recognition and compensation that is due to them.
“It is only right that they should receive equal treatment as any Singaporean athlete who competes at the highest international levels,” WP said in the press release in calling for national para-swimmers to receive the same prize awards from the Singapore National Olympics Council as their able-bodied counterparts.
related: Yip Pin Xiu wins sets two World Records and wins Gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics
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Raising Singapore's Paralympic heroes
S'pore para-swimming stars Theresa Goh (left) & Yip Pin Xiu at the Games Village in Rio. They are close friends both in and away from the water. Goh is a 4-time Paralympian whose perseverance finally paid off when she won a bronze in the 100m breaststroke SB4 last Sunday night.
The parents of medal-winning Paralympic swimmers Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh revelled in their daughters' feats in Rio. But at the heart of their success were common links to pain. Joan Chew tells their stories:
- YIP PIN XIU: WEAK MUSCLES BUT STRONG WILL SPURS INDEPENDENCE AND JOURNEY TO THE TOP
- THERESA GOH: FAMILY’S HEARTBREAK SOOTHED BY HER DISCOVERY OF FREEDOM AND SPEED IN WATER
Besides money, other types of support also important: Theresa Goh
The last of Singapore’s Paralympic contingent for Rio 2016 arrived home on Wednesday morning, including double-gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu and bronze winner Theresa Goh.
The duo’s success in the pool in Brazil sparked a fresh debate over the monetary rewards that they should receive. The amount for Paralympic gold currently stands at $200,000, but many members of the public believe it should be raised to match the $1 million that Joseph Schooling received when he won Singapore’s first-ever Olympic gold a month earlier.
Goh, the first local swimmer to make it to a Paralympics when she qualified for Athens in 2004, weighed in on the issue during a media session on the afternoon of their arrival.
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It's not just the money: Yip Pin Xiu, Theresa Goh call for wider support for para-athletes
Their feats at the recent Paralympics have re-ignited the debate on whether para-athletes deserve the same prize money as their able-bodied counterparts.
While Yip Pin Xiu & Theresa Goh are thankful for those who have supported them and would welcome parity on that front, they said the ultimate goal is for their achievements to be recognised in the same bracket as Olympic athletes.
Yip, with 3 Paralympic golds (two earned this year and one in 2008), said: "Some people say it's (the Paralympics and) not as competitive but they don't see the value behind the sport, like how training is as tough, (or) that we work as hard. They just look at the result.
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Paralympics: Yip Pin Xiu, Theresa Goh rise above equal rewards debate
Paralympic medallists Yip Pin Xiu & Theresa Goh elected to stay above the debate over equal reward money for able-bodied and disabled athletes, when they met the media on Wed (Sep 21) upon returning from the Rio Games.
The debate was reignited following Yip's double gold medal feat, with some members of the public calling for a million-dollar reward for her, similar to the S$1 million that Joseph Schooling will receive for his butterfly win - Singapore’s first Olympic gold medal.
But Yip & Goh stayed above the fray, insisting it was never in their minds to swim for monetary reward, and that matters of this nature should be dealt with by the relevant authorities.
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Paralympians call for equal respect and treatment
Fresh from their stellar performances in Rio de Janeiro, Singapore Paralympians Yip Pin Xiu & Theresa Goh made a passionate plea for S'poreans to see para-athletes on par with their able-bodied counterparts and accord them the same respect.
With their sporting futures up in the air, the two swimmers, who are considering retirement and will make a decision within the next 3 months, stressed they are not swimming for the money but for equality and respect, a call echoed by Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) chairman Teo-Koh Sock Miang.
The public debate on whether the country’s Paralympics medallists should be awarded the same prize money as their Olympic counterparts was once again ignited after Yip won two gold medals at the 2016 Paralympics in the 50m and 100m backstroke S2, and Goh bagged a bronze in the 100m breaststroke SB4.
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Amount of monetary reward for S’pore’s medalled Paralympians not fixed yet
Singapore gave Joseph Schooling S$1 million for his heroic Olympic Gold medal haul at Rio 2016 Olympic Games recently.
So, how much will the current Paralympic Games swimmers — gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu and bronze medallist Theresa Goh — get?
No one knows for sure yet because the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) website does not list the amount, unlike the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) that lists the Multi-Million Dollar Awards Programme (MAP) for Olympians.
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Yip Pin Xiu wins 2 Paralympic gold medals at Rio
Once again, national swimmer Yip Pin Xiu has created a big splash at Rio 2016 by becoming the first Singaporean to win two Paralympic gold medals at the same Games.
Earlier this morning (Friday, S'pore time), the 24-yr-old beat six other athletes to triumph in the women's 50m backstroke - S2 final in 1:00.33.
She edged out China's Feng Yazhu, who took silver in 1:02.66. Ukraine's Iryna Sotska won bronze in 1:17.22.
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Give more support to Paralympic team
I am glad that para-swimmers Yip Pin Xiu & Theresa Goh & the rest of our Paralympians are doing well in the Rio Paralympics (“Goh erases years of hurt with Paralympic triumph”; Sep 13).
To me, it was Yip & not Joseph Schooling — no disrespect and offence intended — who won Singapore’s first Olympic-level gold medal, in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
I was saddened to see the lack of congratulation and support for the 2008 Paralympic team when they returned to Singapore.
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Be inclusive in how we celebrate Paralympians
The podium finishes of Yip Pin Xiu & Theresa Goh at the Rio Paralympics are admirable achievements that have generated much applause and praise among S'poreans ("S'pore on track for best showing at Paralympics" and "Paralympics: At last, Goh wins elusive medal"; both published yesterday).
Both athletes have aptly demonstrated that their disabilities are no barrier to achieving success in the global sporting arena.
Goh's 17 years of perseverance that led to her bronze medal is an awe-inspiring feat that deserves no less recognition than Joseph Schooling's journey to his Olympic gold medal.
related: Paralympian Yip Pin Xiu a role model to inspire young athletes
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10 reasons why we would give Yip Pin Xiu $2 million in prize money
In 2008 and 2012, our Paralympian medalists were rewarded with significantly less money than their able-bodied counterparts. Yip Pin Xiu was rewarded with $200,000 for her trouble at the Beijing Olympics – and only because people protested about the initial $100,000 prize money.
If history repeats itself in 2016, she’ll be given just a fifth of the prize money of gold medallist Joseph Schooling, and for only one of the two Paralympic golds she now has.
But if it were up to us, we would give Yip $2 million in prize money. Here’s why.
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Paralympic two-time gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu knows you think her achievement ‘cannot be compared’ with Schooling’s
At 24, the achievements Singaporean Paralympic swimmer Yip Pin Xiu has attained for our country are unprecedented in all of our sporting history.
At the Paralympics, the highest-possible level of competitive para-sport, and the para-equivalent of the Olympic Games, Yip has already clinched two gold medals (the first one for her, and for Singapore, was in 2008, by the way).
Oh, did we forget to throw in her multiple world records? And the fact that each time she shaves time off her records, it’s not by decimals of a second, it’s by multiple seconds.
related: Before Joseph Schooling’s Olympic Gold medal, there was Yip Pin Xiu
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True champions before we dared dream of Olympic glory
Theresa Goh shook my hand with a vice-like grip. Underneath that big smile, you will see an athlete you don’t want to mess with.
Back then, she and buddy Yip Pin Xiu attended almost every event we organised leading up to London 2012. In spite of their training, they took time out to be real ambassadors of the sport they love and the country they represent.
When together, you hear them chatting about all sorts of things, but mostly it was about qualifying times, injuries, training, event categories, medal hopes. They spoke as if they have been training together all their lives, if not known each other all their lives. They were true athletes, and the nation only got to see them at their best when Theresa clinched a bronze at Rio 2016, after Pin Xiu secured a gold at the same.
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Prize money debate reignites after Yip Pin Xiu’s gold-medal win
A Malaysian newspaper’s report that the country’s Paralympic athletes will get the same monetary rewards as their Olympic counterparts when they win medals has sparked off calls from S'pore netizens for the authorities to do the same for local para-athletes who win medals at the Rio Paralympics.
The Malay Mail Online (MMO) reported on Sunday (Sep 11) that Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had reiterated on his Facebook page that Malaysia’s 2 Paralympic gold medallists will receive the exact RM1 million (S$330,914) reward offered to their able-bodied counterparts.
Khairy also said his previous decision to raise the reward for Paralympic medals from 30% of that of the Olympics to being on par — RM1 million for a gold medal, RM500,000 for a silver and RM100,000 for a bronze — was inspired by Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli who won a gold and set a new world record of 16.84m in the men’s shot put F20 (intellectual disability) at the Rio Paralympics.
related:
Yip Pin Xiu, Theresa Goh score free AirAsia flights
I hope this gold medal can unite S’poreans: Paralympic champ Yip Pin Xiu
Yip Pin Xiu, Theresa Goh to get free AirAsia flights
Yip Pin Xiu sets two world records in gold-medal swim at Paralympics
‘You have made Singapore very proud today’: PM Lee to Yip Pin Xiu
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Lego pays tribute to Paralympic swimmers Yip Pin Xiu, Theresa Goh with minifigures
Lego has honoured para-swimmers Yip Pin Xiu & Theresa Goh's exploits in the pool with mini-figures created in their image.
In a Facebook post containing a picture of the 2 mini-figures on Tuesday (Sep 13), Lego S'pore wrote: "Congratulations to Yip Pin Xiu & Theresa Goh for bringing pride to Singapore! Your accomplishments have inspired us all."
The post has since garnered over 2,000 likes, with many on social media calling it a "cool" move on Lego's part.
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Netizens say Yip Pin Xiu needs to be given the recognition she deserves
Yip Pin Xiu, 24-year-old Singapore para-swimmer, has won a gold medal in the 100m backstroke S2 event with a world record in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on Saturday (10 September). Making it the second gold medal won in Rio de Janeiro after Joseph Schooling's medal in the Olympics.
Competed with 5 other swimmers at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio, Yip also broke the world record by finishing the race in just 2min 7.09sec, beating China's Feng Yazhu (2min 18.65sec) and Ukraine's Iryna Sotska (2min 21.98sec).
In the 2008 Beijing Paralympics on 15 September, Yip was scheduled to be given $100,000 under the Singapore National Paralympic Council Athlete Achievement Awards scheme when she won her first gold medal.
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Paralympic gold winner Yip Pin Xiu: 'We can achieve great things'
Just 28 days after Joseph Schooling won Singapore's 1st Olympic gold medal at the Olympics Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the Majulah Singapura reverberated around the venue once again yesterday morning (S'pore time).
This time, it was para-swimmer Yip Pin Xiu's turn to fly the Republic's flag high at the Paralympics.
The 24-yr-old struck gold in the 100m backstroke S2 final in world-record time- her second gold following her triumph in the 50m backstroke S2 at the Beijing Games in 2008.
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Yip Pin Xiu: Singapore’s only Paralympic gold medallist wins Rio gold
AFTER winning the 50m backstroke (S3) eight years ago at the Beijing Olympics, Yip Pin Xiu won the 100m backstroke (S2) final yesterday at the Rio Olympics.
She smashed her own world record by more than two seconds, and hoped that her gold medal would – as “[Joseph Schooling’s] gold medal brought Singaporeans together – do the same.
President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared their congratulations on their Facebook pages, and Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth Grace Fu added that a public celebration has been planned for the Paralympians – including Singapore’s first and only Paralympic gold medallist – when they return from the games.
related: Sheep die in flight, rental cars boom, and we’re debating Paralympics rewards
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Singapore’s first Olympic-level gold medal winner
She was the youngest of the Singapore team at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, but Yip Pin Xiu was also the brightest star, bringing home Singapore's first ever Olympic-level gold medal.
Pin Xiu was born with muscular dystrophy, which means her muscles degenerate progressively with age. Her condition made it difficult for her to connect with and keep up with her schoolmates, and she became introverted. By the age of 13, she could no longer walk and had to use a wheelchair.
She had started swimming when she was five with her brothers as a weekly family activity. A volunteer with the Singapore Disability Sports Council noticed her swimming and how she was able, despite her physical challenges, to keep up with the other children and encouraged her to swim competitively. She began to do so when she was 12.
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Rio 2016 Paralympics Games
Pin Xiu Yip
Last Records: WR2:07.09Women's 100m Backstroke - S2
SINYIP Pin XiuRio2016
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Honour Yip, but don't put her in the same league as Schooling
And S'poreans all over the world, netizens from here & afar, and even politicians are lapping up the glory of Yip's feat - & a victory by "a mile" of more than 10 seconds over silver-medallist Feng Yazhu of China.
While luxuriating in Yip's 2-lap superhuman effort, the glued group are also caught in the frenzy of what Yip's reward should be. The 2-time Paralympic gold medal winner, who was born with muscular dystrophy, is assured of a $200,000 reward as stipulated by the Athletes Achievement Awards rewards scheme which is driven by the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC).
But in the wake of swimmer Joseph Schooling's Olympic 100 metres butterfly gold medal - a first for Singapore - which won him a $1 million booty (although he takes home $680,000), there is a clamour for Yip to receive a similar reward.
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ASEAN’s Paralympic medallists gets free flights for life offer from AirAsia
AirAsia will provide free flights to all Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Paralympians who won a medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games, Tony Fernandes, wrote in an Instagram post today (Sep 12). The offer meant that Singaporean Paralympian gold medallist, Yip Pin Xiu, who broke the world-record with the 100m backstroke S2 win will get to enjoy this deal.
Mr Fernandes who is the CEO of the budget airlines said:
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Singapore para-swimmer Yip Pin Xiu destroys world record at European games
At the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, national paralympic swimmer Yip Pin Xiu broke 2 world records at the heats for the 50m (S3) backstroke and 50m freestyle events.
Now the trailblazer has done it again, coming in just under 7 seconds faster than the previous world record for the women's 100m (S2) backstroke at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) European Open Championships in Funchal, Portugal on Wed (May 4).
Yip clocked a time of 2min 9.79s for the race. This was far below the previous best time of 2min 16.31s. She also set a new world record of 1min 1.39s for the 50m backstroke, as well as Asian records in the 50m and 100m freestyle events.
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You can’t buy national pride with money, nor produce champions with just passion
Peng Siong is being obviously “politically correct” in avoiding any mention of government support.
Joseph’s parents (Colin and May Schooling) were financially able to support their son’s Olympic-standard training – even then, the Schoolings had to sell their overseas investment property to fund Joseph. And there were public accounts of the uphill battles Joseph’s mum fought to get NS deferral for her son in order not to lose the momentum of his swimming development.
Peng Siong’s parents did NOT have that level of financial resources. But that didn’t make Peng Siong any less of a “champion” in the true sense of the word. Swimming remains Peng Siong’s love to this day.
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It's not all fun at the Paralympic Games
CHAMPIONS: Great Britain's Susannah Rodgers (above), Singapore's Theresa Goh, and sitting volleyball players of the United States and Brazil are just some of the inspiring Paralympians in Rio
When Egyptian paddler Ibrahim Hamadtou steps up to the table, he does so without his right shoe.
That's because this Paralympian needs his toes to scoop the ball up for his service as he bats it with the paddle, which he holds between his teeth.
Hamadtou, who lost both his arms in a train accident when he was only 10 years old, made headlines for his playing style during his Paralympic debut last Friday.
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Explanatory guide to Paralympic classification
Classification provides a structure for competition. Athletes competing in para-sports have
an impairment that leads to a competitive disadvantage. Consequently, a system has to be
put in place to minimise the impact of impairments on sport performance and to ensure the
success of an athlete is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and
mental focus.
This system is called classification.
Classification determines who is eligible to compete in a para-sport and it groups the eligible
athletes in sport classes according to their activity limitation in a certain sport.
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Full Coverage:
Paralympics: Yip Pin Xiu, Theresa Goh rise above equal rewards debate
It's not just the money: Yip & Theresa call for wider support for para-athletes
Paralympians call for equal respect and treatment
Besides money, other types of support also important: Theresa Goh
Swim stars Yip and Goh in different places over Tokyo 2020
Don't be a hater, Paralympics are 'just as hard': Yip Pin Xiu
Spore debates:Paralympic & Olympic gold winners receive same rewards?
Returning Paralympians make a splash at airport
Holiday next, as Goh decides on Tokyo 2020
'Your resilience & tenacity r amazing': President Tony Tan to Yip Pin Xiu
Paralympics: Yip Pin Xiu clinches Singapore's 2nd gold medal
Thank you Singapore for supporting us: Yip Pin Xiu
Yip Pin Xiu wins 2 Paralympic gold medals at Rio
Yip Pin Xiu wins her second gold medal at Rio Paralympics 2016
Honour Yip, but don't put her in the same league as Schooling
Yip Pin Xiu wins second gold medal of Rio Paralympics
10 reasons why we would give Yip Pin Xiu $2 million in prize money
Give more support to Paralympic team
Paralympian Yip Pin Xiu a role model to inspire young athletes
Be inclusive in how we celebrate Paralympians
Paralympians become mini Lego toy figurines
Lego Makes Awesome Paralympian Swimmer Figurines
Paralympics: Yip Pin Xiu Raring To Go For 2nd Gold
Singapore Paralympians immortalised as Lego figurines
In All Honesty: Paralympians deserve more than they're given
Lego Honors Paralympian Swimmers With Their Own Figures
Yip Pin Xiu wins gold again
Yip Pin Xiu wins gold in women's 50m backstroke S2, 2nd title of Rio
Cheers across Spore as para-swimmer Yip Pin Xiu wins 2nd gold at Rio
Yip and Goh get own Lego figures
Should Paralympians be on the same reward scheme as Olympians?
Amount of monetary reward for Spore's medalled Paralympians not fixed yet
WP calls Paralympics medalists accorded equal treatment & compensation
It's not all fun at the Paralympic Games
Joseph Schooling receives S$1 million prize for Olympic gold
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Looking at Schooling's Olympic Gold Medal in perspective
The fantastic achievement of Joseph Schooling in winning a Gold Medal in the 100 metre butterfly swimming event at the Rio Olympics has brought a supreme reputation and prestige to Singapore in the history of the Olympics.
Singapore, especially PM Lee Hsien Loong and his ministers, have shown superb gratitude in according Joseph Schooling the supreme honour that has never been given to any athlete or artist in the past. The whole of Singapore is in ecstatic celebration in his honour and Joseph Schooling could not have been oblivious to all the adulations that have been poured on him. In all these frenzied exuberances would it not be prudent that a rational thought be given to the sensitivity of Joseph Schooling in having to face the future? He has been lifted so high on the pedestal of fame that we may be overdoing it so that there would be no consolation, but devastation, if he could not win any gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
Of course, in the midst of all these celebrations, it could not have occurred in his mind.
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Singapore began their participation in the Paralympic Games when a squad was sent to the 1988 Summer Paralympics held in Seoul, South Korea. Despite winning no medals in the 1988 Summer Games, Singapore continued to send teams to the Summer Paralympics.[1] At the 2008 Summer Paralympics, Singapore sent six athletes and came home with four medals. The 2008 Games was the first time Singapore has won a medal in any Paralympic competition
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Honour Yip, but don't put her in the same league as Schooling
And S'poreans all over the world, netizens from here & afar, and even politicians are lapping up the glory of Yip's feat - & a victory by "a mile" of more than 10 seconds over silver-medallist Feng Yazhu of China.
While luxuriating in Yip's 2-lap superhuman effort, the glued group are also caught in the frenzy of what Yip's reward should be. The 2-time Paralympic gold medal winner, who was born with muscular dystrophy, is assured of a $200,000 reward as stipulated by the Athletes Achievement Awards rewards scheme which is driven by the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC).
But in the wake of swimmer Joseph Schooling's Olympic 100 metres butterfly gold medal - a first for Singapore - which won him a $1 million booty (although he takes home $680,000), there is a clamour for Yip to receive a similar reward.
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ASEAN’s Paralympic medallists gets free flights for life offer from AirAsia
AirAsia will provide free flights to all Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Paralympians who won a medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games, Tony Fernandes, wrote in an Instagram post today (Sep 12). The offer meant that Singaporean Paralympian gold medallist, Yip Pin Xiu, who broke the world-record with the 100m backstroke S2 win will get to enjoy this deal.
Mr Fernandes who is the CEO of the budget airlines said:
“Thought the summer olympics was amazing. But the Paralympics has showed me what determination is all about. Once again this time led by Malaysia Asean is doing something special. Airasia will be giving Free flights for life for all Gold medals winners 5 years for silver and 3 years for bronze. Airasia was all about democracy. Thanks guys and girls for giving all of us the spirit to never give up despite all the obstacles in front of us.”AirAsia had previously announced after the Rio Olympic Games that it would provide “free flights for life” to all ASEAN athletes who had won gold at the 2016 Olympic Games, which meant that Singapore’s very own Joseph Schooling would be eligible for the good will offer as well.
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Singapore para-swimmer Yip Pin Xiu destroys world record at European games
At the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, national paralympic swimmer Yip Pin Xiu broke 2 world records at the heats for the 50m (S3) backstroke and 50m freestyle events.
Now the trailblazer has done it again, coming in just under 7 seconds faster than the previous world record for the women's 100m (S2) backstroke at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) European Open Championships in Funchal, Portugal on Wed (May 4).
Yip clocked a time of 2min 9.79s for the race. This was far below the previous best time of 2min 16.31s. She also set a new world record of 1min 1.39s for the 50m backstroke, as well as Asian records in the 50m and 100m freestyle events.
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You can’t buy national pride with money, nor produce champions with just passion
Peng Siong is being obviously “politically correct” in avoiding any mention of government support.
Joseph’s parents (Colin and May Schooling) were financially able to support their son’s Olympic-standard training – even then, the Schoolings had to sell their overseas investment property to fund Joseph. And there were public accounts of the uphill battles Joseph’s mum fought to get NS deferral for her son in order not to lose the momentum of his swimming development.
Peng Siong’s parents did NOT have that level of financial resources. But that didn’t make Peng Siong any less of a “champion” in the true sense of the word. Swimming remains Peng Siong’s love to this day.
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It's not all fun at the Paralympic Games
When Egyptian paddler Ibrahim Hamadtou steps up to the table, he does so without his right shoe.
That's because this Paralympian needs his toes to scoop the ball up for his service as he bats it with the paddle, which he holds between his teeth.
Hamadtou, who lost both his arms in a train accident when he was only 10 years old, made headlines for his playing style during his Paralympic debut last Friday.
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Explanatory guide to Paralympic classification
Classification provides a structure for competition. Athletes competing in para-sports have
an impairment that leads to a competitive disadvantage. Consequently, a system has to be
put in place to minimise the impact of impairments on sport performance and to ensure the
success of an athlete is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and
mental focus.
This system is called classification.
Classification determines who is eligible to compete in a para-sport and it groups the eligible
athletes in sport classes according to their activity limitation in a certain sport.
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Full Coverage:
Paralympics: Yip Pin Xiu, Theresa Goh rise above equal rewards debate
It's not just the money: Yip & Theresa call for wider support for para-athletes
Paralympians call for equal respect and treatment
Besides money, other types of support also important: Theresa Goh
Swim stars Yip and Goh in different places over Tokyo 2020
Don't be a hater, Paralympics are 'just as hard': Yip Pin Xiu
Spore debates:Paralympic & Olympic gold winners receive same rewards?
Returning Paralympians make a splash at airport
Holiday next, as Goh decides on Tokyo 2020
'Your resilience & tenacity r amazing': President Tony Tan to Yip Pin Xiu
Paralympics: Yip Pin Xiu clinches Singapore's 2nd gold medal
Thank you Singapore for supporting us: Yip Pin Xiu
Yip Pin Xiu wins 2 Paralympic gold medals at Rio
Yip Pin Xiu wins her second gold medal at Rio Paralympics 2016
Honour Yip, but don't put her in the same league as Schooling
Yip Pin Xiu wins second gold medal of Rio Paralympics
10 reasons why we would give Yip Pin Xiu $2 million in prize money
Give more support to Paralympic team
Paralympian Yip Pin Xiu a role model to inspire young athletes
Be inclusive in how we celebrate Paralympians
Paralympians become mini Lego toy figurines
Lego Makes Awesome Paralympian Swimmer Figurines
Paralympics: Yip Pin Xiu Raring To Go For 2nd Gold
Singapore Paralympians immortalised as Lego figurines
In All Honesty: Paralympians deserve more than they're given
Lego Honors Paralympian Swimmers With Their Own Figures
Yip Pin Xiu wins gold again
Yip Pin Xiu wins gold in women's 50m backstroke S2, 2nd title of Rio
Cheers across Spore as para-swimmer Yip Pin Xiu wins 2nd gold at Rio
Yip and Goh get own Lego figures
Should Paralympians be on the same reward scheme as Olympians?
Amount of monetary reward for Spore's medalled Paralympians not fixed yet
WP calls Paralympics medalists accorded equal treatment & compensation
It's not all fun at the Paralympic Games
Joseph Schooling receives S$1 million prize for Olympic gold
Olympic champion Joseph Schooling received his S$1 million prize on Thursday (Nov 24)
Swimming sensation Joseph Schooling on Thursday night (Nov 24) received his S$1 million prize for his historic Olympic gold for Singapore at the Rio Games.
The 21-year-old is the first person to get the top award in the Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme which rewards Singaporeans who win medals at the Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth and Southeast Asian Games. Some of the athletes who took part in the Rio Olympics were present at the ceremony held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, along with Schooling's parents.
It was a very proud moment for his family when the swimmer received his million-dollar cheque from Singapore National Olympic Council president Tan Chuan-jin, Culture, Community and Youth Minister Grace Fu, and chairman of the Tote Board Group Moses Lee. Later on, Ms Fu also presented Schooling with the National Day award to mark his achievement in Rio.
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Singapore National Olympic Council
For competitive athletes, the cost of training at elite level requires an enormous financial investment over many years. Of all athletes who dream of winning an Olympic medal, only a small percentage will find themselves on the podium at the Games. The Singapore National Olympic Council in the 1990s, under the direction of then President Dr. Yeo Ning Hong, devised an incentive scheme to reward medal-winning athletes. The Major Games Award Programme provides a cash payout to athletes who win medals at the Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth and South East Asian (SEA) Games.
The largest gold medal award is $1 million, payable to the athlete who claims an individual gold medal at the Olympic Games. The smallest is a $10,000 windfall for an individual gold medallist at the SEA Games. The value of the awards varies with the respective Games, with the Olympic Games providing significantly higher payouts. The awards also vary, based on individual medals versus team event or team sports medals.
There are ceilings on the awards. Athletes will be entitled to awards up to a maximum of three individual gold medals won at the SEA Games, up to two individual gold medals won at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, and the first individual gold medal won at the Olympic Games. All awards are presented to the winning athlete, not the National Sports Association but it is mandatory for all athletes to plough back a certain percentage of the MAP awards to their National Sports Association for future training and development. All awards are taxable.
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Looking at Schooling's Olympic Gold Medal in perspective
The fantastic achievement of Joseph Schooling in winning a Gold Medal in the 100 metre butterfly swimming event at the Rio Olympics has brought a supreme reputation and prestige to Singapore in the history of the Olympics.
Singapore, especially PM Lee Hsien Loong and his ministers, have shown superb gratitude in according Joseph Schooling the supreme honour that has never been given to any athlete or artist in the past. The whole of Singapore is in ecstatic celebration in his honour and Joseph Schooling could not have been oblivious to all the adulations that have been poured on him. In all these frenzied exuberances would it not be prudent that a rational thought be given to the sensitivity of Joseph Schooling in having to face the future? He has been lifted so high on the pedestal of fame that we may be overdoing it so that there would be no consolation, but devastation, if he could not win any gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
Of course, in the midst of all these celebrations, it could not have occurred in his mind.
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Singapore’s past Olympic medallists
Singapore made its Olympic debut as a British colony at London 1948 with its sole representative, fireman Lloyd Valberg, who was the late grand uncle of Olympic champion Joseph Schooling. He finished joint-14th out of 27 high jumpers with a 1.8m leap.
Since then, the Republic’s athletes have competed in every edition of the Games, except in Moscow 1980 when Singapore joined a United States-led boycott.
The Straits Times looks at the medallists through the years:
- Tan Howe Liang, weightlifting (1960)
- Feng Tianwei, Li Jiawei, and Wang Yuegu, table tennis (2008, 2012)
- Feng Tianwei, table tennis (2012)
- Joseph Schooling, swimming (2016)
- Max Maeder, kitefoiling (2024)
Paralympic Games Medals
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