The Unseen Challenges of Athletes Who Never Make It to the Top Despite Their Dedication
In the world of sports, winning is often seen as the ultimate goal. For many, it’s what defines their career. As Vince Lombardi famously said, “Winning is not everything; it is the only thing.” In Singapore, this mindset is strongly ingrained in our culture. We celebrate the triumphs of athletes like Joseph Schooling and Max Maeder, whose Olympic victories make us proud. But while elite success grabs the spotlight, there is a significant group of athletes—those who come close but fall short of the top-tier standards—who often go unnoticed.
These are the second-tier athletes, individuals who possess great skill but never quite make it to the podium in major competitions. They find themselves “stuck in the middle”, too close to the top to quit, yet far from reaching the pinnacle. This reality characterises the careers of athletes like Liam, a swimmer, and Ryan, a fencer, both 24 years old. Both have seen success in local youth competitions and represented Singapore at the youth level. However, despite their efforts, they have been unable to qualify for the prestigious international competitions that would elevate their careers.
The Talent Divide
Talent is a major factor that separates top-tier athletes from second-tier ones. In his book The Sports Gene, David Epstein discusses how genetics plays a crucial role in athletic success, debunking the myth that hard work alone is sufficient. For Liam and Ryan, the gap between them and the world’s best is something they have come to acknowledge.
“It’s frustrating to always be in the finals but never on the podium,” Liam admits.
Another key challenge is the funding gap. In Singapore, athletes require significant support to pursue their training, but the criteria to receive funding from the National Sports Association (NSA) are tough to meet. Only athletes with potential to win major medals are eligible for financial backing, leaving many promising athletes like Liam and Ryan without the resources they need to compete at a higher level.
This creates a vicious cycle—without the proper funding, second-tier athletes struggle to access high-quality training, equipment, and opportunities to compete abroad. The lack of exposure to international competitions puts them at a disadvantage when compared to their first-tier counterparts, who benefit from greater financial and competitive opportunities.
“Europe is where the major competitions happen. The level of competition there is intense and lasts days, unlike Singapore where competitions typically wrap up in half a day,” Ryan points out.
The High Cost of Climbing to the Top
For second-tier athletes, the financial burdens are immense. In swimming, for example, top swimmers tend to come from the best clubs, where training programs and membership fees can be prohibitively expensive. Grassroots clubs, though more affordable, often lack the resources and facilities to develop athletes to international standards.
The same issue exists in fencing, where Ryan recalls the steep costs of equipment and travel. High-quality blades and suits can cost thousands of dollars, and athletes must also fund their own trips to international competitions to earn ranking points.
While these expenses can be justified when success is within reach, second-tier athletes face the challenge of investing time, money, and energy into a sport with uncertain outcomes. As Ryan shares, when you’re competing at the top level, the reward feels worth the effort. However, for those just shy of the top, the lack of tangible results often leads to self-doubt and frustration.
“You put in so much work and you’re afraid you won’t succeed,” Ryan confesses. “When you narrowly lose, it can be demoralising.”
The pressure mounts as athletes pour more resources into their careers, often facing the sunk cost fallacy—continuing to invest despite mounting costs, because they’ve already committed so much.
Sacrificing More Than Just Time
For many second-tier athletes, the pursuit of excellence comes at a personal cost. Balancing sports with academics and personal life is a delicate act, especially in a society like Singapore, where academic success is highly prioritised. Liam and Ryan both acknowledge that sports often take a back seat when exams or important academic deadlines approach. In many cases, they must sacrifice months of training to focus on their studies, as the rewards of academic achievement are seen as far more significant than those of sports.
In addition, the rigorous training schedules leave little room for social activities, leading to further isolation. The constant cycle of training, recovery, and competition without seeing immediate results can lead to burnout and disillusionment.
“We train so much, but if we’re not going to be like Joseph Schooling, what’s the point?” Liam asks, reflecting the internal conflict faced by many developing athletes.
The Strain of Utilitarianism
In Singapore’s pragmatic society, sports often serve as a stepping stone to more tangible rewards, such as scholarships or entry into prestigious schools. The Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme, for instance, allows athletes to secure spots in schools based on their sports performance. However, this utilitarian approach can shift the focus from passion to results, which might lead to negative mental outcomes for athletes who don’t succeed.
Dr Jay-Lee Nair, a psychologist from Mental Notes Singapore, explains that many parents encourage their children to pursue sports as a means to gain educational advantages rather than for the love of the sport itself. This creates pressure for second-tier athletes, whose lack of results can lead to fewer opportunities and diminished support, making their journey feel even more challenging.
A Call for Change
The reality for second-tier athletes in Singapore can be harsh, with the weight of their struggles often going unnoticed. While the country celebrates the achievements of its top athletes, the voices of those in the middle—who work just as hard but never get the recognition—need to be heard. Support for athletes must go beyond just the elite few and extend to those who are still striving to reach the top.
Sport Singapore CEO Lim Teck Yin has emphasised that athletes are receiving more support than they acknowledge, pointing to medical and sports science assistance as additional resources. However, he believes that the responsibility should not lie solely with the government. Corporations and organisations must also step up to provide athletes with the support they need.
As the nation continues to push for a successful sporting culture, the experiences of second-tier athletes like Liam and Ryan highlight the need for a more inclusive approach—one that values effort and dedication, regardless of the final outcome.
