Inspiring stories of how athletes showed fighting spirit and overcame adversity were shared in front of about 200 national athletes and company representatives at the launch of the One Team Singapore Fund (OTSF) last night.

But one inspirational story which stood out was not about a Team Singapore athlete.

Though he was not present at the event, 92-year-old Tan Kok Sing drew gasps of admiration from the crowd when the screen displayed a video clip and a message from him, explaining that he became the oldest Singaporean to skydive two years ago in Australia.

He continued to be a trailblazer as one of the first donors to the One Team Singapore Fund (OTSF) yesterday. He contributed $100,000 under the name of the running club Tiong Bahru Garden Joggers, which he started in 1977.

The nonagenarian has two children and four grandchildren.

Tan, the retired director of an import-export company, told The Straits Times: "For more than half of my life, I have been encouraging people to play sports.

"I am already old, and I don't know how many more years I still have. I feel satisfied when I contribute in this way. In a way, I feel as if it's my responsibility to give to sports and support our talents.

"If I don't give this amount of money to support our athletes, it will likely be inherited by my children. But my children don't need the money.

"I know that every cent will be put to good use (by the OTSF).

"If I still have the ability to give, I will. Surely, people will be encouraged to follow."

Alvin Chia