I FELT tremendous pride when I learnt on Wednesday of the glorious success of Laurentia Tan (above) in the equestrian event at the Paralympic Games ('First medal for Singapore'). Incidentally, I had just read on the BBC News website about Britain's cycling triumphs a day before in Beijing.
While both articles were suitably glowing in tributes to their outstanding sportsmen, other notable differences were instructive and thought provoking.
What struck me about the article extolling British feats in the Laoshan Velodrome was that, of the numerous medallists profiled, not a single disability was mentioned.
One could have read most of the article and be hard pressed to identify the sportsmen as Olympians or Paralympians, such was the vivid depiction of their physical prowess and superb technique.
The singular mention of 'Paralympic' was made to suggest the cyclists had arguably surpassed their Olympic countrymen with their spectacular achievements.
The tone of the article on Tan's success was decidedly different. There was no elaboration with regard to her specific performance and what exactly her event demanded, details which would have properly emphasised the skill and finesse required of her.
Instead, the article focused almost primarily on her disability, remarking unnecessarily that her competition category was reserved for those most severely disabled.
While her determination and resolve in overcoming her physical difficulties are outstanding and inspirational, the article failed to highlight that Tan is, above all, a world-class athlete, an equal of weightlifter Tan Howe Liang and our Olympic table-tennis women's team.
Let us shower our Paralympic athletes with the adulation they deserve.
Liang Kaicheng
North Carolina, USA
