Minister Tan gets the story behind Singapore's athletes

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin (right) interviews sailor Sara Tan (left) at Changi Airport. Sailor Amanda Ng and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu look on.
Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin (right) interviews sailor Sara Tan (left) at Changi Airport. Sailor Amanda Ng and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu look on. ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin took on the role of "reporter" when welcoming home the last of Team Singapore's Olympians yesterday morning .

After the contingent's arrival at Changi Airport at 6.20am, Mr Tan whipped out his smartphone and started conducting candid interviews with the athletes, their families, sports officials and even Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu for a Facebook Live video stream.

In his video, he provided a casual commentary introducing his interviewees, and asked athletes and officials about their experiences in Rio as well as their feelings upon returning home.

He also asked the athletes' parents about their own experiences in cheering on their children from home.

"Team Singapore is about everyone," Mr Tan said.

"Families have made a lot of sacrifices and it's important to learn from them how they feel," he told The Straits Times, when asked why he was doing the interviews.

"It's good to remind ourselves what goes on behind that."


Nicola Chew

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 25, 2016, with the headline Minister Tan gets the story behind Singapore's athletes. Subscribe