IN FOCUS: With six Olympic medals in 76 years, how can Singapore improve on its tally?

SINGAPORE: Win at all costs. That was Joseph Schooling's approach to chasing - and securing - a historic gold medal for Singapore in the 2016 Olympics, and the retired swimmer remains unapologetic about it.

“For me, winning was the most important thing, not getting second, not getting third, and surely not just being there to participate,” the 29-year-old told CNA.

“Having this yardstick of winning medals - winning gold medals - was very important to my success, because that pushed me day in and day out, to be better than those around me.” 

Such a result-driven approach would appear to put Schooling at odds with some of his country's official messaging in the wake of the Paris Olympics in August. 

In a key speech that same month, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke about Singapore’s performance at the recently concluded Games, and said that sports was “not just about medals” but also “grit and determination”, doing one’s best and “pushing the limits”.

He also urged a deeper culture shift among athletes and the public when it comes to defining success in sport. 

A few days later, Minister for Community, Culture and Youth Edwin Tong also said that leaving aside medals, Singapore’s athletes had come "first" for other sporting qualities such as determination and fortitude while competing, as well as pride in representing their nation.  

In his speech, titled “a new path to sporting success in Singapore”, Mr Tong announced several moves to achieve this, including a new scholarship for student-athletes.

On the back of Singapore kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder clinching a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, the minister has also pledged more support to athletes in niche and uncommon sports.

But will this strategy - comprising both concrete