TR EMERITUS

I was formerly a Physical Education teacher and I fully support the idea of the Olympic Games, albeit at a junior level. However I need to voice my concerns about at least how the Web team for the SYOGOC screwed up. When the Straits Times first mentioned that the relay runners' names were available online, I went to the SYOG website to grab the runners’ lists right away to scan for famous athletes as I was previously a competitive runner. [Get instant updates and discussions about the YOG on our Facebook page here] I managed to spot Hicham El Guerrouj and Frank Fredericks and Alexander Popov (I know who Popov was, because I was interested in swimming and triathlon). Most of the relay runners from Singapore had photos - be it students, or community or volunteer kind of people. I’m fine with that. What was appalling on the website was that, there were no photos of especially Hicham El Guerrouj, who I believe is still the current world record holder for men's 1500m and Mile for the past 11 years... and in place of his photo, it was a blank outline (kind of like MSN contacts without a photo)! Same thing happened for other non-Singapore relay runners, even if they were nominated directly or indirectly by the International Olympic Committee! To confirm some identities, I also tried to look at the photo of a relay runner who has a fairly common name (and I thought might be an long lost acquaintance) – and I had to wait out for the website to go one-by-one from a runner to the next, just so that I can see the photo and ascertain the identity, as I lost the contact of this friend years ago. Good thing was, it was indeed him – but the time spent just waiting for the website to auto-load to his profile, I believe I spent at least 4 to 6 minutes waiting, just to verify the identity by means of a photo. There wasn’t an option to click upon the profile to cut the wait – it was really testing my patience! The morning before his scheduled run/relay, I was working on my computer up to 3am planning the route of advancement to where I suppose El Guerrouj would be dropped off, do his bit of the relay, and get back onto the bus – all just so that I could take a photo of him (and the other athletes I mentioned). From the information given, I had to deduce roughly by my own logic where he’d be dropped off, because the website didn’t give further information about what relay runner tag number he was assigned, nor which lamp-post he’d be getting his turn. I had to deduce by logic, as there were 29 runners for the 2.2km stretch of Serangoon Road, which means each runner would take up only 75 meters – that was quite a challenge because I have no guarantee that was exactly going to be his spot for sure for me to get there ahead of time! So came Friday morning - the route was baffling, to put it bluntly. I have absolutely no idea why the relay would have to go from Nanyang Girls' to Newton Circus, go past Newton Food Centre, come out by Winstedt Road and go around once more to go onto Bukit Timah Road again. In fact, I had absolutely no clue that the relay would go "express" and give the long stretch of Bukit Timah Road a miss, only to resume at Serangoon Road! If not for the fact that I was on my mountain bike, I would have missed all opportunity of taking any photos! Because of this and the fact that Serangoon Road was tricky for me with my mountain bike, I did my evaluation and had to give Popov a miss, and had to pray really hard that I could get El Guerrouj and Fredericks. The AETOS folks controlling the traffic weren't too eager to have me on my mountain bike on the opposite side of the one-way Serangoon Road. I was supposed to cycle only on the pavement - but with curious bystanders stopping to look from it, how on earth could I cycle through this crowd? And no, I don't think I could run all the way with my camera from Newton Circus in the first place! Fortunately for me,  El Guerrouj was dropped off at the junction of Balestier Road and Serangoon Road with relatively lesser traffic, however there was not a single soul lining up to take a photo with him, because I think even if there were any fellow fans, they wouldn't know where is the exact spot he'd be dropped off as I encountered in my preparations. I managed to get my photos of him, as well as with him. I remember I was feeling my heart beating very fast - not because of the fact that I was able to meet him in person, but because I had to do a strenuous and stressful leap-and-bound style of cycling just to be able to ensure that I got to see him! I also got to take my photos with Fredericks... everything was over so fast! My greatest joy was my luck to be able to take photos of, as well as with, these two great Olympians. However, I was embarrassed somewhat that their names were not even publicized in the newspapers – be it their arrival, or participation in the relay – hence leading to zero supporters for El Guerrouj, apart from myself. Fredericks had some students from Hong Yi Primary cheering him on, without a clue who he was - I explained to them their great luck of meeting a great man after Fredericks departed. Some of my running friends were totally shocked when I posted the photos that I took with these two great men on my Facebook account - because they weren't even aware of these athletes' presence in Singapore. Initially I'd thought Guo Jingjing was coming and probably would be a torch relay runner - but nope, she wasn't. Maybe I missed a fact somewhere along the lines. And no, no photos with Popov, because he was dropped somewhere earlier along Serangoon Road – where I couldn’t possibly get to in advance because I didn’t have a single clue where he’d be dropped as well. The Straits Times had goofed up big time by not even mentioning (unless I really missed seeing it) these two men's participation. If anyone ought to get shot, I’d volunteer to nominate the SYOG Web Development team. But then again, if they were volunteers, I can’t hold it against them. But for the amount of time that has gone by since the confirmation of the YOG bid, it’s still far below my personal expectations. I want to comment nothing on politics and YOG apart from that the execution phase of the relay made me really concerned. I sure hope the rest of the event runs without a glitch though! I had to add in the last bit about politics although i'm frustrated by a long-lost scholar acquaintance of late; to the extent that I got totally repulsed by his behaviour when I mentioned that i'm working in insurance. perhaps I'll leave that for another day, but in all honesty. I don't know who's the blokes volunteering or bring arrowed to do the website. international BIG NAMES can actually get NO MENTIONING at all in both ST and the YOG website. I was practically hunting for the BIG NAMES in FINE PRINT by myself! :-p If the website were run by volunteers, ok, I will accede some leeway (in fact, lots) for not knowing Who's Who in sports. If it were NSF boys being arrowed for it, I pity them, because i observed how the NDP were run, as I was official photographer from 2004-2007. Sad in a way that high up in the decision-makers' workflow, that saf or ex-saf people have to be roped in to do work they were never supposed to do. iIm not too sure, but it jolly well could be some high-up-there personnel, but below the chief decision maker, who'd volunteer the raw masses of SAF NSF boys for this event. I do pity the nsf boys, because this wasn't what they asked for, like the photos that I took at NDP, the unearthly hours the 1SIR and 40-something-SAR boys had to be there, to lay down tarpaulin etc... I wish I could write better and formulate my thoughts clearer when I write. the only thing that my various thoughts about the local system is that the leaders, in an attempt to make singapore a BIG red dot, is to let it achieve world's pioneer status in everything. My goodness, how many guiness world records do we need? While the authoritarian methods in the 50/60s might have eradicated secret societies by large; this might have rendered most people into weaklings, kind of like raising a fierce dog, overtime, the many generations of offspring will be domesticated. Yours Sincerely, Ngoh Seh Suan, AFP EDITORS’ NOTE: Has your life been turned upside down by the YOG? Please share your views with us. We assure you that your identity will be kept strictly CONFIDENTIAL. We will be your UNCENSORED VOICE. We will publish your letter in FULL with ZERO editing, moderating or censoring. You do not have to suffer in silence! You have the RIGHT to speak up as a citizen of this country. Remember: you are a CITIZEN of Singapore, not a SLAVE of the PAP regime. Our mailbox has been swarmed by letters from YOG volunteers for the last few days. Unless you specifically want us to publish your REAL NAME, we will use a pseudonym instead. Please understand that due to manpower constraints, we may not be able to publish your letters immediately and we will have to stagger them a few hours apart to ensure that they get maximum exposure. Please keep your feedback coming! Singapore for SINGAPOREANS! Your interests always come FIRST. Related articles: >> Singapore students "invited" to attend YOG event >> Dr Vivian “unapologetic” about bursting YOG budget >> PAP’s astroturfing to welcome YOG torch rally and Emperor Qianlong’s six trips to Jiangnan >> Ng Ser Miang: Singapore students not “forced” to attend YOG events >> Disaster at YOG opening ceremony >> 8 reasons why I am disappointed with YOG opening ceremony >> Netizens lampooned YOG opening ceremony >> No news of YOG opening ceremony in rest of the world >> MOE teacher: How students can stay out of YOG >> YOG Webcast server crashed >> SFI promises to improve “DOG” food for volunteers >> Primary school students stand in the rain to welcome YOG torch >> Plight of Singapore volunteers at Youth Olympic Village >> JC students forced to attend YOG events >> Dr Vivian: Singaporeans are proud of YOG >> PM Lee: YOG has struck a “chord” with our people >> Dr Vivian: YOG venues will not become “white elephants” >> Online pressure forced SFI to provide better food for YOG volunteers >> Civil Service Club offering free YOG tickets >> Journey of YOG flame costs Singaporeans $7 million dollars >> Corny YOG propaganda in Straits Times >> Tharman: YOG enthusiasm is real >> Polytechnic student: I don’t care about YOG >> JC students being “volunteered” for YOG >> YOG: What the HELL is that? >> PAP provides YOG athletes and officials three daily buffets >> YOG students being given “dog food” >> Singapore students forced to volunteer for YOG >> Poor ticket sales forced closure of YOG gallery section >> PM Lee calls on Singaporeans to support YOG >> Young Singaporeans hurl vulgarities at YOG >> Dr Vivian wants Singaporeans to celebrate YOG >> NTU students complain about YOG >> Dr Vivian: Sports is not about “petty politics” >> More than 300 Singaporeans joined “I hate YOG” Facebook >> CNA poll: 90 percent of Singaporeans “not interested” in YOG >> Slovak YOG Ambassador slams YOG venues of “school standard” only >> Two Facebook groups calling for boycott of YOG >> Free condoms for YOG officials and athletes >> Singapore helping to repair Jamaica’s stadium in return for YOG marketing >> Former stripper to choreograph opening ceremony of YOG >> Desperate PAP wants Singaporeans to get “passionate” about YOG >> PAP to Singaporeans: Give way to YOG vehicles or get fined $130 >> PM Lee wants Singaporeans to do their part for YOG >> Only six teams in YOG soccer tournament Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. 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Following the leakage of  photos of the infamous "DOG" food given to Singapore volunteers by the YOG committee on the internet which sparked a massive outcry among Singaporeans, better food is served this week, according to a volunteer who took a snapshot of it and uploaded to his Facebook: [Get instant updates and discussions about the YOG on our Facebook page here] [Source: YOG unofficial news] "After the meal expose in the papers. This is the meal we have. Not fantastic, but it is better on the 1st day," he wrote. There were also unconfirmed rumors circulating around that the catering company has been changed. The fracas dealt an irreversible blow to the YOG already plagued by little interest from Singaporeans, especially when it was revealed in the press that the foreign athletes and officials are being given three daily buffet meals befitting of a king by the same caterer, Singapore Food Industries: [Source: Yahoo Fit to Post] The wide discrepancy in the treatment between the volunteers and the athletes prompted many angry Singaporeans to criticize the organizers with some calling for a boycott of the YOG. When contacted by the media, the YOG committee dared not reveal the budget allocated for the volunteers’ food. “We are aware of the feedback (on the meal) and have taken immediate action. We will work with the caterers to continually improve the meal standards,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying in the Straits Times. PAP minister in charge of the YOG Dr Vivian Balakrishnan told BBC News that he sees the YOG as a chance to extend Singapore's image as an "efficient globally connected city." The "DOG food" debacle has helped showcase the PAP regime's pettiness to the world. As the saying goes, charity begins at home. Treating one's own citizens as slaves while rolling out the red carpet for foreigners is certainly not a Olympian "value" worth emulating. IOC President Jacques Rogge would have agreed.      EDITORS’ NOTE: Has your life been turned upside down by the YOG? Please share your views with us. We assure you that your identity will be kept strictly CONFIDENTIAL. We will be your UNCENSORED VOICE. We will publish your letter in FULL with ZERO editing, moderating or censoring. You do not have to suffer in silence! You have the RIGHT to speak up as a citizen of this country. Remember: you are a CITIZEN of Singapore, not a SLAVE of the PAP regime. Our mailbox has been swarmed by letters from YOG volunteers for the last few days. Unless you specifically want us to publish your REAL NAME, we will use a pseudonym instead. Please understand that due to manpower constraints, we may not be able to publish your letters immediately and we will have to stagger them a few hours apart to ensure that they get maximum exposure. Please keep your feedback coming! Singapore for SINGAPOREANS! Your interests always come FIRST. Related articles: >> Singapore students "invited" to attend YOG event >> Dr Vivian “unapologetic” about bursting YOG budget >> PAP’s astroturfing to welcome YOG torch rally and Emperor Qianlong’s six trips to Jiangnan >> Ng Ser Miang: Singapore students not “forced” to attend YOG events >> Disaster at YOG opening ceremony >> 8 reasons why I am disappointed with YOG opening ceremony >> Netizens lampooned YOG opening ceremony >> No news of YOG opening ceremony in rest of the world >> MOE teacher: How students can stay out of YOG >> YOG Webcast server crashed >> SFI promises to improve “DOG” food for volunteers >> Primary school students stand in the rain to welcome YOG torch >> Plight of Singapore volunteers at Youth Olympic Village >> JC students forced to attend YOG events >> Dr Vivian: Singaporeans are proud of YOG >> PM Lee: YOG has struck a “chord” with our people >> Dr Vivian: YOG venues will not become “white elephants” >> Online pressure forced SFI to provide better food for YOG volunteers >> Civil Service Club offering free YOG tickets >> Journey of YOG flame costs Singaporeans $7 million dollars >> Corny YOG propaganda in Straits Times >> Tharman: YOG enthusiasm is real >> Polytechnic student: I don’t care about YOG >> JC students being “volunteered” for YOG >> YOG: What the HELL is that? >> PAP provides YOG athletes and officials three daily buffets >> YOG students being given “dog food” >> Singapore students forced to volunteer for YOG >> Poor ticket sales forced closure of YOG gallery section >> PM Lee calls on Singaporeans to support YOG >> Young Singaporeans hurl vulgarities at YOG >> Dr Vivian wants Singaporeans to celebrate YOG >> NTU students complain about YOG >> Dr Vivian: Sports is not about “petty politics” >> More than 300 Singaporeans joined “I hate YOG” Facebook >> CNA poll: 90 percent of Singaporeans “not interested” in YOG >> Slovak YOG Ambassador slams YOG venues of “school standard” only >> Two Facebook groups calling for boycott of YOG >> Free condoms for YOG officials and athletes >> Singapore helping to repair Jamaica’s stadium in return for YOG marketing >> Former stripper to choreograph opening ceremony of YOG >> Desperate PAP wants Singaporeans to get “passionate” about YOG >> PAP to Singaporeans: Give way to YOG vehicles or get fined $130 >> PM Lee wants Singaporeans to do their part for YOG >> Only six teams in YOG soccer tournament Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.  Read More →

The inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has succeeded in uniting Singaporeans from diverse walks of life alike to vent their unhappiness, frustrations and anger on it and indirectly the increasingly unpopular PAP regime, ranging from food for the volunteers, forcing students to attend the games and now the behavior of YOG buses and taxis on the road. Many Singaporeans are already peeved off by the new law imposed by the PAP regime that they have to give way to YOG vehicles on designated lanes or risked being fined a hefty $130 and their anger now boiled over on witnessing the flagrant flouting of traffic rules of these YOG drivers. [Get instant updates and discussions about the YOG on our Facebook page here] An irate motorist Mr Francis Cheng wrote a lengthy letter to the Straits Times Forum today lambasting a YOG driver's road manners: "I was travelling along the left lane of the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) one Friday afternoon when I spotted a Youth Olympic Games (YOG) bus driver harrying the driver of an old pick-up van in front of him to move aside by flashing his lights, tailgating him and sounding his horn." (read rest of the letter here) Over at online portal STOMP, netizens complained of YOG bus drivers "who park illegally and drive dangerously, including tailgating and flashing their high beams at other motorists." (read article here) We also received complaints from Singaporeans about the rude behavior of some YOG drivers who cut into the lanes of others abruptly, flashing their head-lamps indiscriminately and forcing motorists in front to give way by honking and tailgating. Netizen Fernando Fonseca noted many traffic "transgressions" committed by YOG vehicles since August 5: (a) Many buses are flashing the lights fitted in front of their bus as if the 'God' given right was abused (in fact it was). A look on the bus suggested that the drivers were actually alone and probably late for the pick up of the athletes; (b) Whilst the Government had been telling Singaporeans to be more gracious, are the bus drivers themselves gracious? They are cutting into people's lane abruptly, and when you are on their lane, they keep flashing you instead of ensuring your safety in cutting to another lane. (c) Taxis fitted with "YOG" are no saint either. They are forever trying to ask motorist to give way by honking and tailgating. He questioned if the Singapore traffic police will dare to take action against them: "I suspect that road traffic accidents would be at its peak during this period with the kind of driving presented by the bus drivers. Are these the values we are showing the athletes from abroad. The question is: If the buses are committing any traffic offence, would the TP pull their vehicle one side and summon them, or are they above the law now?" There is a Chinese idiom - 狐假虎威, meaning that a fox walking behind a tiger will be able to frighten off all its enemies not because its own capability but because of the tiger in front. With the PAP regime and YOG committee bending over to ensure the "success" of the YOG at the expense of ordinary Singaporeans, it is little wonder that these YOG drivers are behaving like little "Bonapartes". Have you come across such rude and dangerous YOG drivers too? Please share your unpleasant experiences with us here. EDITORS’ NOTE: Has your life been turned upside down by the YOG? Please share your views with us. We assure you that your identity will be kept strictly CONFIDENTIAL. We will be your UNCENSORED VOICE. We will publish your letter in FULL with ZERO editing, moderating or censoring. You do not have to suffer in silence! You have the RIGHT to speak up as a citizen of this country. Remember: you are a CITIZEN of Singapore, not a SLAVE of the PAP regime. Our mailbox has been swarmed by letters from YOG volunteers for the last few days. Unless you specifically want us to publish your REAL NAME, we will use a pseudonym instead. Please understand that due to manpower constraints, we may not be able to publish your letters immediately and we will have to stagger them a few hours apart to ensure that they get maximum exposure. Please keep your feedback coming! Singapore for SINGAPOREANS! Your interests always come FIRST. Related articles: >> Singapore students "invited" to attend YOG event >> Dr Vivian “unapologetic” about bursting YOG budget >> PAP’s astroturfing to welcome YOG torch rally and Emperor Qianlong’s six trips to Jiangnan >> Ng Ser Miang: Singapore students not “forced” to attend YOG events >> Disaster at YOG opening ceremony >> 8 reasons why I am disappointed with YOG opening ceremony >> Netizens lampooned YOG opening ceremony >> No news of YOG opening ceremony in rest of the world >> MOE teacher: How students can stay out of YOG >> YOG Webcast server crashed >> SFI promises to improve “DOG” food for volunteers >> Primary school students stand in the rain to welcome YOG torch >> Plight of Singapore volunteers at Youth Olympic Village >> JC students forced to attend YOG events >> Dr Vivian: Singaporeans are proud of YOG >> PM Lee: YOG has struck a “chord” with our people >> Dr Vivian: YOG venues will not become “white elephants” >> Online pressure forced SFI to provide better food for YOG volunteers >> Civil Service Club offering free YOG tickets >> Journey of YOG flame costs Singaporeans $7 million dollars >> Corny YOG propaganda in Straits Times >> Tharman: YOG enthusiasm is real >> Polytechnic student: I don’t care about YOG >> JC students being “volunteered” for YOG >> YOG: What the HELL is that? >> PAP provides YOG athletes and officials three daily buffets >> YOG students being given “dog food” >> Singapore students forced to volunteer for YOG >> Poor ticket sales forced closure of YOG gallery section >> PM Lee calls on Singaporeans to support YOG >> Young Singaporeans hurl vulgarities at YOG >> Dr Vivian wants Singaporeans to celebrate YOG >> NTU students complain about YOG >> Dr Vivian: Sports is not about “petty politics” >> More than 300 Singaporeans joined “I hate YOG” Facebook >> CNA poll: 90 percent of Singaporeans “not interested” in YOG >> Slovak YOG Ambassador slams YOG venues of “school standard” only >> Two Facebook groups calling for boycott of YOG >> Free condoms for YOG officials and athletes >> Singapore helping to repair Jamaica’s stadium in return for YOG marketing >> Former stripper to choreograph opening ceremony of YOG >> Desperate PAP wants Singaporeans to get “passionate” about YOG >> PAP to Singaporeans: Give way to YOG vehicles or get fined $130 >> PM Lee wants Singaporeans to do their part for YOG >> Only six teams in YOG soccer tournament Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.  Read More →