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Ice skaters from Singapore experience true meaning of Olympism at Korean Dream training programme
February 26, 2007--For two weeks, three ice skaters and one coach from Singapore got to experience the true meaning of Olympism when they took part in the Korean Dream Programme in Gangwon Province, Korea earlier this month. Ice skating is Singapore’s only official Winter Olympic Games sport.
At the invitation of the Singapore National Olympic Council, Singapore Ice Skating Association sent Coach Ms Lee Chow Ying and figure skaters Anja Chong, Annika Nyberg and Sarah Paw for the sports training and the cultural experiences offered through the Dream Programme.
Sponsored annually by the Korean Olympic Committee to introduce athletes from non-winter countries to winter sports, the Dream Programme was a key commitment made by Korea to fellow National Olympic Committees during its 2003 bid to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Although Korea didn’t win that bid, the Dream Programme has been a hit with young athletes from around the world.
This year, more than 143 athletes from 33 countries were flown to Korea at the expense of the Korean Olympic Committee to learn snowboarding, skiing, speed skating and figure skating. “As Singapore team leader, it has been the most unusual and deeply touching experience I have ever had,” said Lee Chow Ying. “The magic lies in the pure ideals of the program. We are grateful to Korea for sponsoring the programme, and to SNOC for giving SISA the opportunity to participate in it.”
Working with the skaters was Ms Park Bun-Sun, who coaches Yu-Na Kim, the 2006 World Junior Champion. Sarah Paw, Singapore’s Prenovice Ladies Champion in 2006, was deeply impressed with the training. “They were incredibly focused, on our every move, every gesture, every stroke,” said 14 year-old Sarah. Figure skaters from Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Greece and Romania also came for the opportunity to train with the Korean coaches.

The young Singaporean pointed out that the Dream programme wasn’t just about the training. It emphasized the ideals of the Olympic Movement by bringing together people from different countries to share experiences and learn about each other. “Yes, we successfully completed our two weeks study of snow sports,” Sarah said. “But we also did so much more that just that. We became the best of friends.”

Eleven year-old Annika Nyberg summed up the experience as "the opportunity of a lifetime. I learned as much about Olympism and other people from all over the world as much as I learned about my sports. It really was a 'dream' programme."

 
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