The Olympic Games are back in full form. Last held in Tokyo largely behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been waiting in eager anticipation for this year’s events to restore the Olympics to their original glory. After all, it is the crowning jewel of the sporting calendar, gathering top athletic talent from around the world in one place for hair-raising competition and generation-defining sporting performances. Held from 26 July to 11 August in Paris, this year’s event sees Team Singapore making its appearance at the games with a delegation of 23 of the city’s best athletes. Some of them have become household names in their own right—like sprinter Shanti Pereira, one of Singapore’s two flag bearers—while others are stepping into the spotlight for the first time. What they all share is fervent passion and grit, as well as a desire to put Singapore on the map at the world’s biggest sporting meet.
Here, we speak to three female athletes headed to the Paris Olympics, competing in different sports and standing at different stages of their careers. 23-year-old Amita Berthier is the first Singaporean fencer to qualify for the Olympics on merit, and certainly one to watch. “Representing Singapore on a global stage is an incredible honour and a significant responsibility,” the three-time SEA Games champion says. Meanwhile, rower Saiyidah Aisyah is surprising some with her return to the Olympics—back in the game from her retirement after the 2016 Games in Rio, when she had been the first Singaporean rower to compete in the Olympics. At 35, she is making the career comeback of a lifetime. She reflects: “Wearing the national flag on my chest again gives me a sense of immense pride. It’s another opportunity for me to show the world what a Singaporean athlete is capable of doing, even in her mid-30s.” They are joined by kayaker Stephenie Chen, who nearly left the sport after narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Her qualification for the Paris Games will mark Singapore’s first appearance in the sport in 12 years. The 32-year-old says: “I decided to make significant changes after my near miss for the Tokyo Olympics. I’ve been chasing this one goal for so long and it’s taken my full focus.”
As the Paris Games kick off, the three athletes open up about the journey to the Olympics, their goals beyond the podium and what being a female athlete means to them.
Amita Berthier, Fencing
Give us a behind-the-scenes look at your training regimen for the Olympics.
My training regimen is meticulously planned and extremely rigorous. Each day starts with a warm-up session that includes stretching, light cardio, and footwork drills—essential for agility and quick movements on the fencing piste. Mornings are dedicated to technical drills while afternoons are for strength and conditioning. Mental conditioning is also crucial. I incorporate visualisation techniques and meditation into my daily routine to maintain focus and composure under pressure.
What does it mean to you to be representing Singapore on a global stage?
Being an athlete from Singapore means demonstrating that no matter where you come from, with dedication and perseverance, you can compete with the best in the world. It means showcasing the talent and hard work of our small but determined nation. The weight of national identity is something I carry with pride; it motivates me to perform at my best and inspire others back home.
Female athletes often challenge stereotypical notions of femininity and strength. How do you believe your identity as a woman has shaped your journey as an athlete?
I am proud to be part of a movement that redefines femininity to include strength, resilience and competitiveness. Growing up in Singapore, where traditional gender roles can sometimes be more pronounced, I have had to navigate and challenge stereotypes about what women can achieve in sports. My identity as a woman has inspired me to be a role model for young girls in Singapore, showing them that they can pursue their passions and excel in any field they choose. It’s about breaking barriers and proving that women can be both strong and graceful, both competitive and compassionate.
The Olympic Games are often seen as the pinnacle of an athlete’s career, but what are your dreams and aspirations that extend beyond the podium?
To continue promoting and developing the sport of fencing in Singapore. I want to inspire the next generation of fencers and contribute to the growth of the sport in my country. Additionally, I hope to use my platform to advocate for the importance of mental health and resilience in sports, helping athletes at all levels understand the value of mental well-being in achieving their full potential.
Saiyidah Aisyah, Rowing
Give us a behind-the-scenes look at your training regimen for the Olympics.
It works like clockwork. We eat breakfast at the village between 5:45 to 6:15 a.m. before we leave for the rowing course at 6:30. I do my warm up from 7:30 to 8. I’m on water at 8 and am done at 9. I do my cool down and take the 10 a.m. bus back to village. In the afternoon, I will either go for a jog or sit on the stationary bike just to keep my legs moving.
Aside from rigorous physical conditioning, how important are the more intangible aspects of Olympics preparation, like developing mental and emotional resilience?
It’s so important. When you’re at the Olympics, there is only so much that you can change physically and physiologically, so it becomes a mental game. I’m nursing a rib injury now that I sustained a month ago, which put me out of the boat for three weeks. That makes the emotional management even more important. It’s been challenging and I reached a low point a week ago. But the injury doesn’t shape my journey—my perseverance and resilience will.
Female athletes often challenge stereotypical notions of femininity and strength. How do you believe your identity as a woman has shaped your journey as an athlete?
I love being a female athlete. We have to learn to manage our menstrual cycle and hormonal imbalances, working them together with our nutrition, recovery, and performance. Even though I’ve been an elite athlete for 20 years, I’m still learning more about my body and how to maximize it during the cycle. I’m also at that stage in my life where my biological clock is ticking. I want to have kids, so it was a challenge for me to go after the Olympics goal because that meant putting aside my family goals for another year. It’s a risk I’m taking and I’m acknowledging that.
The Olympic Games are often seen as the pinnacle of an athlete’s career, but what are the dreams and aspirations that extend beyond the podium for you?
I would like to be an Olympian in other areas of my life, such as setting up a successful business to empower female athletes, be a great wife, and hopefully a mother one day. I also aim for excellence in my other athletic pursuits like running. I don’t necessarily believe that I have to be the best in everything that I do, but I do always strive to improve while also learning how to have fun along the way. Life is all about balance.
Stephenie Chen, Kayaking
What does it mean to you to be representing Singapore on a global stage, and how do you perceive the weight of national identity in your role as an athlete?
I’ve played my part in showing the rest of the world that Singapore is competitive on all levels and that we can all find success on paths less taken. I see it as support—knowing that I come from such a small and resilient country that defies all odds to succeed. I identify with that and it drives me to do more and better.
Aside from rigorous physical conditioning, how important are the more intangible aspects of Olympics preparation, like developing mental and emotional resilience?
Equally important. I think mental and emotional resilience is built from years of showing up and being present during training. Being confident in knowing that you’ve done the work needed to execute your race the way you want to. That being said, having a healthy, competitive environment to train in also helps with building the mental resilience necessary for racing.
What is one personal or professional hurdle that has shaped your journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics?
After my near miss for the Tokyo Olympics, I decided that I either had to make a tremendous change or leave the sport. Sometimes the hardest thing to do in your career is to be brave and stand by your choices. Making a decision to train internationally, stand on my own two feet, plan and manage my career required more than I thought I had. Thinking back on this choice and how difficult it was, I’m proud that I had faith in the moment that it would pay off, and will forever be proud it was the right decision for myself.
What is one piece of advice you have for budding athletes in Singapore who look up to you and aspire to your sporting career?
Don’t do it. (Laughs) Unless, of course, you intend to put in the hard work that’s necessary. Many like to look for the one percent of excellence but miss out on the ninety-nine percent of gritty hard work needed above all.
