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After being cheered on board the A380 flight to Beijing, Team Singapore swimmers Nicolette Teo (left) and Tao Li enjoy their meal.
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Beijing - EVEN by the standards of Beijing, noted for its fascination with good omens, yesterday was special.
Team Singapore arrived at the 08.08.08 Olympics extravaganza to blue skies - the first time the host city had gone smog-free for consecutive days.
Indeed, everything went smoothly (read auspicious): From the rousing send-off at Changi Airport to the Singapore Airlines' maiden A380 flight to China.
About 100 schoolchildren and Team Singapore supporters joined Singapore National Olympic Committee president Teo Chee Hean for the 7am send-off for the team of 12.
They are the first of 19 athletes, who will call Beijing home for the next few weeks, while Qingdao plays host to the six sailors.
It was the perfect start for an important mission: To deliver Singapore's first Olympic medal since 1960.
As chef-de-mission Tan Eng Liang said: 'The team has given a heart-felt send-off. We were made very comfortable on the plane.
'And, now that the weather looks good, we could not have asked for anything better."
On board the big bird, passengers did not have to wait too long before being told that they were among (rarefied-air) company - Singapore Olympians decked out in red-and-white Yonex shirts and khaki pants.
Singaporean Patrick Cheah, on a business trip to Beijing, was among the passengers who cheered the team's introduction on the plane's public address system.
Said the managing director of a design firm: 'I'm been trying to get a ticket to cheer the team, but I haven't been successful.
'I'll still be trying for tickets. I'll be in the city for a while, and want to show my support for the team.'
Perhaps the day's only dampener was Li Jiawei, the captain of the women paddlers, reporting to the airport with a bout of flu.
But the ill-effects soon cleared up after the team of table tennis players, swimmers and shooter Lee Wung Yew touched down just after 3pm at Beijing Capital International Airport.
'I'm better,' said Li, no longer sporting the sunglasses which she spent most of the morning hiding behind after getting some rest on the flight.
Others like Nicolette Teo, who will be competing at her third Games, took the opportunity to watch two movies.
It is probably her last chance to relax before the pressure of competition sets in.
Said the breaststroke specialist: 'It's my third Games, but I still feel a little anxious.
'I'm sure it'll be okay once the competition starts.'
But it is Li and her team that will attract the spotlight.
Ranked second to only China, they are expected to end Singapore's 48-year medal drought.
They will have more than a week to get used to the conditions, with the table tennis competition starting only on Aug 13.
Said teammate Wang Yuegu: 'Some might say we're here too early. But I think it will be useful for us to get used to the conditions, the training and competition venues.'
Just a stone's throw away from the Games' two most iconic venues - the Bird's Nest National Stadium and the Water Cube swimming arena - is the Athletes' Village.
The Olympians have already made themselves at home at the condominium-style housing, sending e-mail messages to friends and chatting on Skype.
The national flag will officially be raised at the Village on Wednesday.
Three days later, on National Day, trap shooter Lee fires off the Republic's campaign.
And, as Singapore turns 43, there will not be a more special present than a first Olympic medal since independence.
marclim@sph.com.sg
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