Tracy Quek gets patriotic and talks to Team Singapore fans.

In Beijing

MS MIRANDA Lee has a strategy for being heard over all the exuberant Chinese fans when it comes to cheering on Singapore athletes at the Games.

"We wait till the Chinese fans are quiet, and then we start to shout,'' chuckled the bubbly 39-year-old IT consultant.

She is one of dozens of Singaporeans who are in Beijing to watch the Games and specifically to cheer Team Singapore athletes on during their competitions.

Xin Jia Po Jia You!

They may be no match for the Chinese spectators in terms of numbers, but I could hear small bands of them screaming: "Xin jia po jia you!'' and "Go Singapore!'', all the way across the hall during one table tennis match.

For matches, they turn up dressed in Team Singapore Supporter T-shirts and wield Team Singapore balloon clappers, all provided by the Singapore Sports Council so that fans can make as much noise as possible.

Some are Singaporeans who flew up from home, others are Singaporean students studying in Beijing universities, others are residents in the city who just want a chance to cheer for the home team.

So far they have watched Singapore sportsmen and women battle it out at badminton and table tennis.

And even though Singapore has not yet claimed a medal, the fans are still enthusiastic.

Mr Linus Pook, 31,a Singaporean working in Beijing said: "I get asked by my Chinese friends where are Singapore's medals. But I tell them that participation counts more than anything.''

He was the only one who cheered for the Singapore contingent when they walked in during the Opening Ceremony on Aug 8. He was watching the opening at a friend's house and everyone else present was Chinese, he said. 

The Singapore fans may get a kick out of cheering the athletes on, but do they think it has any effect at all?

"Oh yes, I think it really helps,'' said Ms Lee. "At least they know they have people in the stands who are behind them.''

Go, Singapore!