President Tony Tan Keng Yam hosted over 300 athletes and officials to a reception at the Istana on Saturday afternoon, honouring their feats on the sporting arena last year.

Athletes who competed at major Games last year - the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing and Asian Games and Asian Para Games in Incheon - were invited.

Representatives from the 36 national sports associations which will be involved in the June 5-16 SEA Games this year were also part of the celebrations.

The athletes and officials also met with Minister for Culture Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, as well as Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin, who is also president of the Singapore National Olympic Council.

As part of the event, former national bowler Grace Young and current kegler Jazreel Tan shared the stage to share on what the legacy of the Team Singapore spirit meant to them.

Recalling the emotion she felt when she competed at the 1993 SEA Games, the last time Singapore hosted the biennial event, Young said: "Hearing the national anthem play is always immensely satisfying, joyous, and extremely emotional. I've had that special feeling of being choked up on the podium."

Singapore will be hosting the 28th edition of the SEA Games in June, welcoming more than 7,000 athletes and officials who will compete across 402 events.