Champions Behind the Scenes - Steve Chew & Ang Peng Wee

Singapore’s Swimming Officials have Key Roles to Play at Paris 2024 and Beyond!

(Left) Ang Peng Wee (Advisor to Swimming Technical Committee, SG Aquatics) & Steve Chew (VP of Artistic Swimming, SG Aquatics), at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in 2024. Photo Credit : Singapore Aquatics

Over the past five decades, Singapore’s swimming scene has witnessed countless memorable moments. Legendary athletes like Joseph Schooling, Patricia Chan, Joscelin Yeo, and Yip Pin Xiu have not only captured the nation's heart but also elevated Singapore's status on the global stage. Behind these stellar performances lies the often-unsung contributions of dedicated technical officials who ensure the sport’s smooth and fair conduct.

Steve Chew: From a Father's Inspiration to the Olympic Stage

Artistic swimming, a sport requiring immense discipline and dedication, found an ardent supporter in Steve Chew. Inspired by his daughter Geraldine’s commitment, Steve began his journey as a local judge in 2007. With no prior knowledge of the sport, he learned from local judges and attended the World Aquatics Judges School. By 2009, he earned a spot on the World Aquatics Judge list, a testament to his dedication and hard work.

Reflecting on his experience, Steve shares, "My debut at the Rio 2016 Olympics was a remarkable experience that profoundly shaped my approach to the sport. As I prepare for Paris, I’m excited to embrace the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This time, I will be stepping into a new role as a Referee, which brings its own set of responsibilities and perspectives."

(Bottom Row, 1^st from Left) Steve Chew is with fellow Judges and the World Aquatics Technical Artistic Swimming Committee at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. Photo Credit : Steve Chew

Steve’s journey has been marked by numerous highlights, from officiating at the World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, to the Southeast Asian Games. However, judging at the 2016 Rio Olympics stands out as a pinnacle moment. "The Rio experience taught me the importance of adaptability and thorough understanding of the sport, which will be crucial as I navigate these new rules and contribute effectively in my role," Steve emphasizes.

Steve Chew (Right) with his daughter Geraldine at Changi Airport, at the TeamSG Athletes’ Sendoff for the SEA Games in 2011. Photo Credit : Steve Chew

Geraldine Chew, a former artistic swimmer and a two-time SEA Games gold medallist, speaks proudly of her father's achievements. "I’m very proud of my father’s achievements as a Technical Official, and he often jokes that at least one of us has gone on to the Olympics," she shares. Geraldine, following in her father’s footsteps, has recently attended the World Aquatics Judge's School, aspiring to one day officiate at the Olympics herself.

Looking forward to his second Olympic Games, Steve expresses a sense of pride and responsibility. "We’re often not associated with our countries when on the judging panel, but having officials from diverse backgrounds helps mitigate biases and maintain the sport's integrity. Nonetheless, I feel proud to be one of the few officials from Singapore on the world’s biggest sporting stage, especially for such a niche sport."

  Steve Chew (circled in Red) with fellow Judges and Technical Committee, Doha World Championships 2024. Photo Credit : Steve Chew

As the Chairperson of the Asia Aquatics Technical Artistic Swimming Committee, I hope to assist in developing artistic swimming programs in Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, to encourage participation in the next World Championships in Singapore."

Ang Peng Wee: A Legacy of Integrity and Passion

Ang Peng Wee was at the Asian Games in Hangzhou as a Swimming Technical Official in 2023. Photo Credit : Ang Peng Wee

 Ang Peng Wee, a name synonymous with integrity and dedication in Singapore's swimming community, has been a swimming technical official for two decades. Coming from a distinguished sports family, his late father Ang Teck Bee was an Olympian and former national Judo coach, while his older brother Peng Siong is an Asian Games Gold medallist in swimming and a Hall-of-Famer.

Trained in swimming by his father from the age of seven, Peng Wee represented Team Singapore as a top 50m freestyler and butterfly specialist, ranking among the top three in Singapore and the region from 1978 to 1981. He competed until he was 22.It was during these competitive years that he decided to give back to the sport as a technical official. Peng Wee recalls, "I was inspired and dreamt of being officially involved with the Olympics one day.”

Ang Peng Wee (Left) and Ang Peng Siong (Right) at the 2011 Palembang SEA Games. Photo Credit : Ang Peng Wee

His journey as a technical official began in 2004 at the Singapore Open Championships, held at the Toa Payoh swimming complex. Now, 20 years later, Peng Wee is set to make his Olympic debut as a technical official in Paris. "Honoured to be selected, I’m proud that my family has three members officially participating in the Olympics," he highlights. "I’m excited to be at the peak of swimming officiating and hope to make Singapore proud, even though my capacity is with World Aquatics as a neutral official."

Peng Wee’s inclusion in the Paris Olympiad affirms Singapore’s swimming officiating standards. "With exposure to the Olympics and World Championships, we can relate different perspectives of officiating expectations at local, regional, and global levels. It serves as an encouragement and inspiration for our local technical officials to aspire and pursue higher levels of technical knowledge," he shares.

Technical Official Ang Peng Wee with TeamSG’s Jonathan Tan at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Photo Credit : Ang Peng Wee 

The contributions of dedicated officials like Steve Chew and Ang Peng Wee will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the success of these events. Their passion, integrity, and commitment to the sport continue to inspire and elevate Singapore’s standing in the global aquatic fraternity.