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FOR 48 years, Singapore struggled in vain for a second Olympic medal.
Weightlifter Tan Howe Liang's silver-medal feat at the 1960 Rome Games was the lone spark in the Republic's less-than impressive Olympic history. This year, however, hopes are high that the barren spell will finally be broken at the Beijing Olympics, which start next month.
Singapore is sending 25 athletes - its largest contingent since it sent 52 sportsmen as part of the Malaya squad to the 1956 Melbourne Games. And chef de mission Dr Tan Eng Liang is confident that this is the most well-prepared squad for the medal assault.
Speaking at yesterday's flag presentation ceremony at Plaza Singapura, he said: "What pleases me most is that many of our athletes qualified outright, instead of gaining entry via wildcards or invitation. "It shows that we can meet the high international standards that the Olympics have set."With a little bit of mental strength, a medal is definitely possible for this contingent." When asked if a gold medal is within Singapore's reach, Dr Tan laughed and said: "Any colour will do! It's been so long since we've won anything."
Paddler Li Jiawei, who came close at the 2004 Athens Games with a fourth-place finish in the women's singles event, will be Singapore's flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony on Aug 8. She and her team-mates Wang Yuegu and Feng Tianwei have the best chance among all Singapore athletes in the team event, judging by their second-place showing in March's World Team Championships.
【译文】
过去的48年间，新加坡一直苦苦为第二枚奥运奖牌而挣扎。
举重运动员Tan Howe Liang（陈浩亮）于1960年罗马奥运会上夺得的银牌是新加坡乏善可陈奥运历史上唯一一抹亮色。不过在下月北京奥运会上，新加坡有望打破奖牌荒。
继作为马来西亚联邦成员国新加坡选派52名运动员参加1956墨尔本奥运会之后，本次由25名运动员组成的代表团是新加坡奥运历史上的最强参赛阵容。
代表团团长Tan Eng Liang（陈英梁）自信声称这是有史以来准备最充分的一届代表团，将对奖牌发起冲击。在昨天狮城大厦广场的授旗仪式上，他说：“许多参赛运动员是通过自身努力直接而不像过去靠外卡或特殊邀请获得参赛资格，这点令我很满意。”“这证明我们的确具备了奥运会的竞争实力。”他还说：“如果运动员能发挥他们顽强的意志力，获得一枚奖牌对代表团是绝非不可能的。”当被问及是否有染指金牌的可能性时，他大笑着回答：“什么颜色都好，我们太久没尝过奖牌的滋味了。”
李佳薇，04年雅典奥运会女子乒乓球单打第四名，离奖牌仅一步之遥，将作为新加坡旗手亮相8月8日的奥运会开幕式。李佳薇与队友王月古、冯天薇在今年3月的世界乒乓球女子团体锦标赛上获得团体亚军，乒乓球女团项目将是新加坡的最大夺牌热门。
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发表于 2008-7-11 21:44
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