There are no two words in the English Language more harmful than "good job" -Whiplash.

I was randomly browsing through the news articles which were written on my wins and losses, my fights and disappointments, my wedding which I never knew existed being postponed, and the photos of my faces, my armpit, my biceps, my friends and family- the past. And then, I decided to read the comments that fellow Singaporeans wrote on some of these articles and some were along the lines of:

-what I was wearing and how I’m lucky that people don’t compare me to the misfortune of the Malaysian gymnast who apparently showed the shape of her va-jay-jay

-whether I’m still funding for my own training expenses or am I still receiving allowance from the govt

-the usual foreign talent vs local talent drama

It is crazy sad isn’t it?

Is that really what people talk about when they think about athletes?

Not about what we put in day and night to our training? About the commitment and the time and effort that we give to our sport? About how I’m here trying to survive with $3000 in my bank for the next 12 months knowing that once my rowing career is over I still have a uni loan to pay?

Nothing about how fellow Singaporeans can help or support the athletes to become world-class and even winning the Olympic Games.

Nothing.

How are we meant to be a successful sports hub when all we do is complain about what athletes wear, what the government is doing and why are there foreigners playing for the nation? Are we really the #OneTeamSG that wore Red and cheered ever so loudly during the SEA Games a few months ago?

Or was it just a show because we think we’re superios amongst the South-East Asian nations?

Do you really support the local athletes? Or just finding a reason to blame the government for something?

—

And yes, I did receive an allowance in preparation for the SEA Games. The money isn’t big but sometimes you just have to be grateful for what you have. In fact, the money wasn’t even enough to "save" but I guess that’s what every potential Singaporean athlete needs to know:

#1: you will not get rich being an athlete

And yes, the funding stopped after the SEA Games.