Team Singapore shop for fans to beat the heat

Initially, it was the threat of floods that worried the organisers of the 2012 Olympic Games. But it has been all sunshine in the English capital this week, ahead of today's (tomorrow morning, Singapore time) highly-anticipated opening ceremony.

The UK enjoyed the hottest day of the year last Tuesday with the mercury tipping 30 deg C, and the temperature is expected to stay at that level over the next few days.

The heat has posed a problem for Team Singapore athletes staying at the Olympic Village.

Said paddler Wang Yuegu: "It is very hot in the room because there is no air-conditioning or fans.

"I perspire more during my afternoon naps than in training, and it has affected my rest a little."

Speaking to The New Paper yesterday, Singapore's chef-de-mission, Jessie Phua, said: "The problem is that our rooms face the evening sun and the windows can barely open.

"I've asked Adam (Masbah, Singapore Sports Council's assistant director, major Games preparation) to go out and buy whatever fans he can get his hands on and they should be installed today."

"I am sure once the fans are in, it would start raining again," she added, laughing.

Concern

When contacted, national swimming head coach Ang Peng Siong said: "Yes, the heat is a concern now, but our Games secretariat have bought fans for the athletes and hopefully they can rest better."

Phua revealed that she has arranged for Singapore's shuttlers - Derek Wong (men's singles), Gu Juan (women's singles) and Yao Lei and Shinta Mulia (women's doubles) - to leave earlier for the Wembley Arena for their practice sessions and competition, after hearing from their counterparts how they were late for training when their bus driver got lost on the roads.

Otherwise, the veteran sports administrator reported that all was fine in the village and "the mood in the Singapore camp is good".

sayheng@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in The New Paper.