By Patrick Johnston
As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and that is even more true when that child is an elite athlete and now Olympic bronze medallist.
As Max Maeder, the world number one kitefoiler, marked National Day by becoming just the sixth Singaporean to win an Olympic medal, huge cheers and joy erupted at home.
Much-deserved praise came the way of Max but the teenage superstar was gracious enough to thank all those that had contributed so much to getting him to the Paris Games.
“Valuable, absolutely valuable,” Max said. “I mean, really, it's phenomenal to have a great support system, and I'm very grateful to have one as good as I have.”
Part of that team is coach Johnny Dolenc, who has, for the past four years, coached and housed 17-year-old Max in Croatia.
“Max is like a member of our family,” the tall Croat said.
The former windsurfer has been a pioneer in the relatively new kitefoiling series, which only made its debut at the Paris Games.
Dolenc trains Max and his own son Martin, another key member of Max’s support crew.
Max said he spends up to 50 percent of his time training with Martin, who also took part in the kite competition in Marseille, finishing 14th.
Dolenc said Max’s talent was easy to spot early on, praising the double world champion’s cognitive skills in the rapid sport billed as the fastest at the Games.
“You could see from very early, he was showing the potential (to compete at this level),” he added.
Another to see the potential in Max early on is his caddie Daniel Leow, a former kitesurfer himself who previously competed and won events in the Asian kitesurfing series.
Leow first met Max when he was 10 at an event in Thailand and was asked by Max’s parents to coach the young protege.
“Our bonding is very strong,” Leow said. “Like a father and son, or best friends relationship. It's not just working with him, it's trying to be his guardian, or mentor.
“I’m so proud of him. Doesn't matter if he got a medal or not, for him to be the man he is today I’m so proud of him.”
Leow showed his worth in the opening series of races in Marseille, anticipating a wind change and preparing a new kite sail for Max so that he could quickly get back out on the water for race two, which he ended up winning.
“He's been a key support to my entire journey here, and I couldn't have gotten here without him,” Max said of Leow’s role.
But Leow’s multiples roles did not end there. With the Olympic event dogged with so many delays, postponements and cancellations,, only seven of 16 races were able to take place in the opening series, while the medal races were pushed into the reserve day.
Max was left listening to classical music, replying to numerous messages of support from back home on social media and playing chess against Daniel to pass the time at the Marseille Marina.
“I'm trying to bring his level up a little bit, he’s quite a good chess player, I was surprised,” Max joked of Leow’s performances.
Leow, though, said that wasn’t entirely accurate.
“Max started the chess games, he always wins, I won once but he always wins. I’m trying!”
And not to forget the other vital members of the support squad: Max’s mum, Teng Hwee Keng, father Valentin and his two younger brothers.
The quartet were all in Marseille to provide support, encouragement and hugs, along with aunts, friends and other family members.
“For me, he is an amazing son. Period,” Hwee Keng said, agreeing the bronze was an amazing achievement.
As Max joined his mum and dad for a media interview, his youngest brother said his Olympic sibling was the “best brother”. But even then, Max was quick to remember who had helped him the most.
“Thank you mama, thank you papa,” he said.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games takes place in Paris, France from 26 July to 11 August 2024. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.