By Nicole Chia
Team Singapore celebrated a remarkable outing at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on 8 September (Paris time), with the closing ceremony officially marking the end of the quadrennial Games. The 10-strong contingent will return from Paris with two golds and one silver, an improvement from the two golds won at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Swimmer Yip Pin Xiu extended her reign in the pool after retaining her titles in the 50m and 100m backstroke S2 events for a third consecutive Games. Debutante Jeralyn Tan clinched Singapore's first-ever Paralympics medal in boccia, winning silver in the women's individual BC1 event.
Singapore’s athletes have much to be proud of beyond podium finishes. Swimmer Toh Wei Soong recorded improved stroke efficiency in his three events, while fellow swimmer Sophie Soon overcame injury to reach the final of the 100m breaststroke SB12 event. Veteran equestriennes Laurentia Tan and Gemma Foo did well to deliver joyful performances at the Chateau de Versailles. Archer Nur Syahidah Alim and shot put thrower Muhammad Diroy Noordin, both competing in their third Paralympic Games, demonstrated admirable grit in their respective events. First-time Paralympians Daniel Chan and Hilary Su responded well to the magnitude of the occasion in shooting para sport and para equestrian respectively, with Su facing the additional challenge of tricky weather during her events.
All of these and more were celebrated on a rainy evening at the Stade de France, where the closing ceremony was held. A total of 4,400 athletes from 169 delegations competed at the Paris 2024 Games. The flags of the participating nations were presented in a parade, with four-time Paralympic medallist Tan entering the stadium as Singapore's flagbearer. The ceremony paid tribute to the Parisian nightlife, featuring 24 artistes from the French electronic music scene. The Paralympic flag was then handed over to the Mayor of Los Angeles, the host city of the next Games in 2028.
The Paris 2024 Games marked the return of the full Games experience after the pandemic, with athletes enjoying the Games Village and competing in front of packed stands where exuberant spectators kept up a constant refrain of cheers.
Toh, whose first Paralympic Games in Tokyo took place in the middle of the pandemic, revelled in the merriment of the Paris Games. “The roar of the Parisian crowd is immense and struck awe in me the first time I heard it, while watching Pin Xiu's S2 100m backstroke heats in the morning (on 29 August at the La Defense Arena),” said the 25-year-old, who was Singapore’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony.
“The atmosphere at an all-out Paralympic Games is incomparable to what I've experienced before, and I was happy to soak in the good vibrations of the arena and the Games Village, from which the daily rotation of Michelin-star chefs and their small but wonderful samples of signature cuisine was my favourite.”
These Games mark the fifth for equestrienne Tan, but the four-time Paralympic medallist still found joy in the new experiences she had in Paris. Tan, aptly described by a commentator as a "Paralympic legend in para dressage" earlier this week, said: “I really enjoyed riding at Versailles; it was a rare opportunity in such beautiful surroundings. It was exciting to have a new team member (Su), and I was thrilled for Jeralyn and PX.”
Team Singapore chef de mission Ng Wee Chew expressed pride at the Singapore's accomplishments in Paris, praising the strong performances of all the athletes. "I saw first-hand the hard work and sacrifices that they put in, and I call on Singapore to celebrate with the team when we return to Singapore," she added. "Hopefully, they will have inspired others so that we will see more Singaporean athletes and more spectators supporting at future Games, especially for sports like boccia!"
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games take place in Paris, France from 28 August to 8 September 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.