At every major Games, the medal tally is a constant reminder of where nations stand and how they compare to others. It is a barometer of whether there has been improvement, whether training regimens are working.
For many, it is gold that glitters brightest. Which country has won the most golds? Which athlete has won the most golds? After all, the number of gold medals tends generally determines order in the medal table.
Famously, American media favour the total medal count, which almost always puts it at the top. This practice brought a wry smile to the faces of observers in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, when the United States trailed behind China in gold medals right up to the last day when the Americans edged ahead by one.
‘TO BE BETTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS SELF’
Many of us remember the euphoria watching Joseph Schooling touch the wall first at the Rio 2016 Olympics to bring home Singapore’s first Olympic gold. One of our own had done it.
Or the outpouring of joy when badminton player Loh Kean Yew defied all odds to become world champion in December 2021.
Winning is important. But for our athletes, gold is one of many motivations. For one, they compete to better themselves.
“I swim to see how good I can be. I swim because I actually enjoy what swimming teaches me … and that translates into performance as well,” said Schooling. “You just want to keep getting better than the day before.”
After winning the 200m indvidual medley, swimmer Quah Jing Wen was asked if she knew the significance of her victory. This was the first time in almost two decades a Singaporean had won the event.
“Having that extra knowledge does make it kind of cool,” she said. “(But) a lot of the swimmers we don’t chase titles or anything. We chase to be better than our previous self. These extra things are all a bonus.”
Beyond the headlines are the personal bests. Take Reuben Rainer Lee, who finished fifth in the men’s 200m athletics final, but who set a new national record and personal best with his time of 21.07. Or Nur Izlyn Zaini, who set a new national record and personal best in the 100m hurdles as she finished fifth.
In the pool, Quah Zheng Wen clocked a personal best in the 200m freestyle – all while serving his National Service.
