The Singaporean Dream is Growing Old!!!
I was still talking to Kenneth about the possibility of a China born, raised and bred Li Jiawei, singing Majulah Singapura at Athens. The very fact that our national anthem would be heard around the world, especially this time round when they return to Athens, where it all started. It all just doesn't seem to make sense or match. It would be as surreal as one of Salvador Dali's work. But I guess we will never know what it will be like. A 44 year wait has turned into a 48 year wait, at the very least.I think this is the first time we have gotten so close in more than one event, this time in both badminton and table- tennis. We showed so much potential. But I think our atheletes have not gained enough experience to win it when it most matters. They often faulter when they get so close to winning. They have the capabilities to defeating the world's best, but they lack the ability to finish what they started out for. Just when the win was within an arm's reach, Li Jiawei crashed out even though she led 4 games to one. You can't get any closer than that. This has happened many a times.But I believe our atheletes will peak in the years to come.
I was also discussing with Kenneth on why the North Korean will win. I guess she has more to lose if she fails to win. Imagine the poverty that most of the North Koreans go through. Winning the olympics could perhaps help her family out of poverty. Maybe severe punishment awaits her back home, if she fails to bring back some commmunist pride. She was undeniably aggressive, fierce and in control in all of her games. I will not be surprised if she upsets her less communist counterpart, china, to clinch the gold.She's one hell of a noisy player. The hokkien phrase Kao Bei is most apt. She could have woken the dead with her shouting. Every single serve and win brings out some sort of groan from this North Korean lady.
Remember this name, Kim Hyang Mi (Jing Xiang Mi). She is the one who ended the possibility of hearing our national anthem at the olympics.
