alright. let me tell you guys about the 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006. because i read Aunty Geok's bloggy and she's saying more things about the Games than me, haha.

from my perspective, being in the pool arena for 9 days, 12 hours everyday.

Li Tao. Shocking. absolutely stunning performance which silenced the whole arena. except Teo Chee Hean, Chef De Mission of Singapore in the VIP box cheering like they''ve won a million dollar lottery prize, and the Singapore contingent at poolside. i watched her swim the morning at the heats and after that in my email i sent back home, i wrote that i think Li Tao will win the gold coz she was flying through the heats, and shé really did!! In actual fact, i was delighted to be the escorter of the medal persenter of the 50m butterfly event itself! goodness, so i saw her and congratulated her. Anyway, you guys saw the medal presenter? he's a good old chap from Japan, he's kinda like Santa Claus too, because i received quite a few items from him. During the victory parade, they played 'Stand up for Singapore' in the background. it was so exciting, because the Singaporean contingent were singing and celebrating. You know what, Singapore is one of the few countries which had its national anthem played in the pool. China, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Syria and Singapore. so Singapore can be proud of that foreign import. Her name is Tao Li, haha, Li Tao sounds so funny.

i've met really nice people here, and really nasty people here, and , and people who have attitude problem but friendly. so its a mixed bag. Nasty people are the Kazakhstanis. Cold and rude. people who aren't as friendly as you thought they will be - Singaporeans. They are exuding a certain form of arrogance. the Chef de Mission was the only one whom i met smiled at me genuinely. 1 person cant be bothered even to look at me, Teo Chee Hean faked a smile, the rest kept their heads high and brushed past, floated away. i mean, thats Singapore, what can i say? they are stupid enough to send their football team to the Games, making such a hoo-ha about it, only to have them come back even before the Opening Ceremony. I was laughing so hard about it, mostly at their fo0lishness. Did the Straits Times give the Singapore football team headlines for making their way back home far sooner than expected? i think the newspaper should dedicate a whole full page, so as to update fellow Singaporean good tax-payers to see how Singapore has spent their cash on. a return flight costs $1600 excluding taxes. how many players are there in the soccer team, including officals? you do the math.
In justification, i'll add that at the Opening ceremony, when Team Singapore paraded out to the stadium, the large screen showcased the WATER POLO team!!! anyone from the Singapore Olympic Council see that? You see whats so funny? water polo team isn't there!! they made way for the football team, who isn't there too because they were spanked way too early. Our dependable water polo team, who protested so hard to go to the games, was blocked, citing reasons that they werent good enough in Asian standards. How stupid.
people who have attitude problem i won't say here coz its sensitive.
I love the nice people. the people who reciprocate your smile, and service. i really love them. 1 of the vice-president of FINA especially, i love him.

i'll continue later on coz i've got to go for duty now.

Alvin
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