Olympian Nicolette Teo on why she's not marching with Team Singapore.

From the Olympic Village
In Beijing

THE Opening Ceremony is on my television set as I write this. The Olympics has finally begun. 080808!

While participating in the opening ceremony is truly an experience of a lifetime, I have opted to sit it out because it's a very long and draining event. You leave the Village around 6 pm in the evening and do not return till about 2 or 3 am.

Seeing as how I'll be swimming the 100m breaststroke in two days' time, I figure I’m making a smart sacrifice by staying behind. In any case, one does not get to actually see much of the ceremony since parading athletes and officials are cooped up in a holding tank for hours on end waiting for their turn to walk into the stadium.

I think Singapore is country number 197 and we're expected to march out around 10.30pm. I need to be fast asleep by then!

Still, I recall with fondness my very first Opening Ceremony at the 2000 Sydney Games. I didn’t swim the 100m breaststroke then and didn’t have to worry about what time I got home or how tired I was. Besides, I think I was too young and too excited to even have such thoughts cross my mind!

I remember waiting for what seemed like forever before it was Singapore’s turn to parade out. I remember waving at the camera and flashing them a thousand-watt smile. I remember the feeling of excitement bubbling up inside me as I thought about how I was part of something so much bigger than myself.

And, er, I also remember wearing this horrible white furry scrunchie in my hair! Not my greatest fashion moment.

Anyway, tonight I shall make no such fashion faux pas as I sit and watch the Opening Ceremony on TV from the safety of my room in the Village.

Goodnight!

Nicolette swims breaststroke.
ST Photo: Desmond Wee