Singapore clinched its first two golds at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles through swimmers Danielle Moi and Bryan Seow yesterday morning (Singapore time).

Danielle, 15, clocked 1min 9.95sec at the Uytengsu Aquatics Centre to win her women's 100m freestyle (F03 division) race. It was her second podium finish as she had won a bronze in the 200m individual medley the day before.

She said simply after her swimming event: "Beat yourself before you beat others."

Seow, 22, was triumphant in the men's 100m freestyle (M15 division), winning in 1:26.90.

Nicole Fu, 15, added a bronze from her women's 100m freestyle (F01 division) event.

This brings the Republic's medal tally to two golds and three bronzes - all won in swimming.

Said Richard Chng, coach of the Singapore swimming contingent together with Angelia Koh: "Competing in the Special Olympics is the moment they will always remember.

"They are representing Special Olympics Singapore on the world stage, but most importantly it teaches them the true value of sportsmanship and friendship created with other athletes."

The biennial Games is an international sporting competition that features multiple Olympic-style sports for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

In the previous edition of the Games in Athens in 2011, Singapore's 45 athletes won 12 golds, 13 silvers and 12 bronzes.

This year's Games were inaugurated by United States' First Lady Michelle Obama on Saturday.

Singapore's 33-strong contingent will be competing in seven sports - aquatics, athletics, badminton, bocce, bowling, football and table tennis.