National athletes are not just competing for themselves, but also for the country and its people. As such, they must speak up more to tell their stories.

So said Sport Singapore chief executive officer Lim Teck Yin, who was referring to Singapore national swimmer Quah Zheng Wen’s (picture) reported snub of local journalists at the Rio Olympics which, in turn, generated a heated public debate here.

Some felt that the 20-year-old Quah had the right to decide if and when he wanted to speak to the media, while others slammed his behaviour.

But Lim said: “We (SportSG) recognise that it is not just about (getting a) performance, and then you hide in a room.

“Since the SSI (Singapore Sports Institute) was established, the athletes services divison has been very proactive in nurturing the social development of the athlete, as well as engaging their parents to encourage a more forthcoming athlete ... We play a role in nurturing athletes to (help them) understand that they are social icons and national heroes, and that they need to come out more. We would like to see them coming out more to speak.”

But Lim also added: “I think for specific athletes, certain times can be quite sensitive to them. I spoke with Zheng Wen immediately after the Olympics ... At that stage, he is still clarifying some of his thoughts and his aspirations. So all this may make that a little more difficult.” ADELENE WONG