That honour was bestowed on her at the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games flag presentation ceremony yesterday.

She was chosen from among the 25-strong contingent, which Minister for Defence and Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) president Teo Chee Hean described as 'the strongest and best prepared Olympics team that we've had'.

SNOC secretary-general Chris Chan believes that it was the first time that an athlete had requested to be the flag-bearer.

Li, who flew in from her centralised training stint in Osaka to attend the ceremony, said that she wanted to go back to her native Beijing to make a statement.

'There has been so much debate over the foreign talent scheme. This is my way of showing everyone that every thing I've ever achieved is because of Singapore.'

Asked if Li would have been considered had she not made the request, Mr Chan said: 'We would have chosen someone with experience, someone who can inspire those making their Olympic debuts. She fits the bill.'

But Li was not going to leave the decision to chance.

She said: 'I was desperate for it. Who knows when the opportunity will come again?'

She was also the flag-bearer at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, where she returned with a haul of one silver and three gold medals.

Li has set her sights on putting an end to the nation's 48-year wait for an Olympic medal.

She said: 'I will win a medal to repay Singapore for its support and for giving me the honour of being the flag-bearer.'

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