Commentary: What athletes sacrifice to compete on the world stage

SINGAPORE: “My hard work, preparation, training, competition results from the past year leading up to this month [were] all for nothing, because it was decided by them that these three training sessions I missed, weighed far more than all my effort and work I’ve put in to prepare for the SEA Games."

Those were the words of Singapore national fencer Samson Lee last month, in the lead-up to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. He was dropped from the 2023 SEA Games team for missing three training sessions reportedly due to the birth of his firstborn, his father being hospitalised and his business, SG Academy of Fencing.  

Fencing Singapore has said that due processes were followed, and that full consideration was given to Samson’s mitigating factors before the decision was reached.

I represented Singapore in swimming for 17 years. In that span of time, I went to four Olympic Games, broke a world record as part of a medley relay, and won 40 gold medals at the SEA Games. 

To say that sacrifice is required for an athlete to compete on the world stage feels shallow because not many know and understand what that sacrifice really entails. 

I began my swimming career at 11 years old. A typical day would see me waking up at 4.30am. By 5am, I had to be at the pool warming up and getting ready to go. Training went from 5.15am to 7.45am. And at 8.30am, I was in my first class for lessons. Our next training session would begin at 2.30pm and would go till 6pm. 

Gruelling? Yes! Athletes spend countless hours honing their craft. In fact, as a meet nears, the months before that also include mental preparation work, which does not factor into the physical hours we put in. 

I trained six days a week, 52 weeks a year, for four years, for a golden