Hearts melted as Singapore showed up to cheer for its athletes.
Despite the sporadic rain, the spirits of Singapore’s athletes remained high during the celebratory parade after their successful stint at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the fans either, who gathered in full force to cheer on their Olympians.
In the midst of grey skies, a sea of red filled OCBC Square, the parade’s starting point, with fans eagerly awaiting the athletes. At one of the cheer points in Chinatown, even as the rain began to fall, supporters stayed committed, ducking under shelters but never dispersing. Some fans even climbed onto bridges for a better view of the bus as it passed below.
Athletes Present
Ten athletes were part of the parade, including swimmer Gan Ching Hwee, sprinter Marc Louis, shuttlers Terry Hee, Jessica Tan, and Yeo Jia Min, table tennis players Izaac Quek, Zhou Jingyi, and kayaker Stephanie Chen. Sailor Ryan Lo and bronze medallist Max Maeder completed the group.
Rain on Our Parade
The parade began at 11:34 am under cloudy skies, and despite the drizzle, the athletes were all smiles as they waved to the media from the open-top bus. Hee and Tan, the husband-and-wife shuttler duo, made a heart-shaped gesture together, while Maeder joined in with his own joyful antics. The athletes took time to gather for group photos, with Maeder stretching his long arms to take a selfie with the group.
Even though it rained during the parade, the athletes were well-prepared with ponchos, staying dry as they made their way through the streets.
Singapore Showed Up
Along the bus route, crowds gathered to cheer for Team Singapore, regardless of age. Some passing cars honked their horns in support, while hundreds lined the streets waving flags and holding creative signs. Cheers of “well done” and “good job” filled the air as the athletes waved back.
What This Parade Means to Them
After the parade, Gan shared that the experience was “wonderful” and “heartwarming,” adding that it was amazing to see Singaporeans rally together to support their athletes.
Chen described the event as “pretty fun” and “quite boisterous,” while Maeder was visibly moved by the turnout. “It’s beautiful to see,” he said, joking that the rain didn’t bother him, especially since it had rained during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. He expressed his amazement at the support, adding that the fans’ signs were “very nice.”
Up Next
Looking ahead, the 2024 Paralympics will take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, 2024. As of July 6, nine Singaporean athletes are set to compete in five sports: boccia, para archery, para-equestrian, para-swimming, and shooting para-sport.
