Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps is perhaps the most talk about swimmer for this Olympics. He is also perhaps the newest sports idol for many people.

I first noticed him at the 2004 Olympics. He was only a new guy then. But he caught my attention with his ahem, good look at first. I googled him and began to take an interest at him. I followed all swimming races during the Olympics, just to see him swim. He is not as outstanding as he is now but he soon retains my attention with his incredible swim and his genuine happiness when he received his medal. Little by little, I find myself cheering him on and watching to see if he will win another gold medal or break another record. Before I know it, I have become a big fan of him. I start to follow his news and stuffs and was truly excited to be able to see him swim in this Olympics.

But recently, something has been bothering me.

Suddenly, it seemed like almost everyone is a walking bible of Michael Phelps. Whether it is on msn or normal daily conversation, people are spouting information about him. Suddenly, everyone is acting like they have been following him for a long time.

“Do you know he has…” or “Do you know that he is..” are the common statements that I have been hearing. Whenever I hear these statements, I feel like retorting with another of this statement.

I feel a little mad. It is silly actually. It is like a silly competition between the fans, trying to see who is the more avid fan.

However, as silly as it may be, I just could not help the feeling of wanting to shout to these people that I’m not like them. I did not become his fan because of the tremendous media attention that he is getting this Olympics. I feel like telling the rest that I did not start supporting Phelps from this Olympics and that I have noticed and have been following him since the last Olympics. I feel like telling the rest who are always spouting info about him that I definitely know what you have know and maybe a little more.

Like I say, it is really a silly feeling. But I just don’t like it when people try to flaunt their so called ‘knowledge’ of my idol to me and acting as if they have always been the big fan. How many of them will actually talk about him once Olympics is over? How many will actually continue to follow his progress and competitions? I believe not a lot will. That is until the next Olympics arrive and he stood on the world stage once again to amaze us with his talent.

So at this little corner of mine, I shout out to the rest that I’m different from some of the so called ‘fans’.

To those who have been following him for a long time, let’s continue to support him for his next legend making.

P/S: To the reporter who mentioned that Phelps is not good looking but won people over with his goody boy behaviour, I stand to correct you. He is very good-looking, ok?

What is wrong with you, Singaporean?

The match is over and we walked away with a silver medal.

Not bad at all for a small country if you asked me. We stood and fought against the host nation. We may not be the champion but we are second, IN THE WORLD. How bad can that be?

What I do not understand is the mentality of some Singaporeans. I was watching the match with some fellow Singaporeans and their reactions totally turned me off.

When we are leading in the match, instead of feeling excited and cheering the girls on, they were saying things like “We’ll only lead for now, later sure lose the round one”.

When we were losing the match, instead of feeling anxious, they were saying “Die! Die! Sure lose liao. Only few more points to go. No need to play liao lar”.

I do know that deep in our heart, we are all secretly thinking that we do not stand a chance against the host nation. But should we give more encouragement verbally? I wonder why they watch the match at all. Did they watch it to give their moral support to Team Singapore or did they watch to see them lose? Or is it simply a good chance for them to sneer at the team, to make sarcastic remarks?

Really! What is wrong with some of us?

This is the first time that we are standing on the world stage after 48 years for a medal, in a Chinese territory no less. We are not in some foreign ‘Ang Moh’ country fighting for the medal.

I do not care about what others say. We have obtained our silver medal. It may not be good enough for some but it is definitely good enough for me.

I’m proud of you, Singapore!