The Golden Girls – Youth Olympic Triathlon

August 25, 2010 at 1:35 am | Posted in itchy mouth | 2 Comments
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Last week, Itchyfingers went to support the first event of the Youth Olympic Games, the Women Triathlon, at East Coast Park. It was a fine and slightly cloudy morning but I was perspiring non-stop from brisk walking to the starting point. We were just in time to catch the start of the swimming leg of the race! Luckily the introduction of the individual triathlete took a bit of time.. :p


Ready, get set…


and SPLASH!! The girls had to swim 750 meter in the open water

It was Itchyfingers’ first time ever to attend a sports event, and since we weren’t early enough to recce the place, we weren’t sure of the exact location where the triathletes would be picking up their bikes. We followed some people before hearing an announcement about getting past some security to get nearer…so we decided to just do that…


It wasn’t that long a queue but it was so slow! Tisu Boy decided not to queue
but to wait for the triathletes along the race route. I was so near to the
checkpoint when some of the triathletes emerged from their swim and dashed
past to get their bike! Aiyo, missed the action!


Got this pass to get nearer to the finishing point…but there were already
so many people. The bikes were at the further end and blocked so it was
impossible to get good pictures of the girls getting into their bikes…


Only managed to get this picture of the last girl, Thailand’s Mattika
Maneekaew, getting her bike. Go, go, go!

There were a lot of waiting at the spectators’ area near the finishing line. It could get a bit boring waiting for action but luckily, there was a group of cheerleaders making the atmosphere a lot more lively!


“Come, come! Get an instrument and join us!”


Another happy drummer cheering along!


There was a group of supporters in t-shirts that said “Triathlon Hong Kong”

Just when I was lamenting my wrong move of getting into the spectators’ viewing area as there was not much action around here, Tisu Boy was having much better luck as he could move around where the girls were doing their laps of 20 km cycling…


No. 24 Canada’s Christine Ridenour was leading the way…look out for No. 10!


Ooops! No time for shoes!


Some had only time for one shoe… :p


Time for a drink! Oh she got her shoes on now! :p


Well, the girls did past by, but they were too fast and far!


From the result board’s update, we could see that No. 3 Monika Orazem from
Slovenia was first after the second lap…So exciting!


And that’s Monika!


It was a close race! Look out for the fifth girl from the left!


And that’s our own triathlete Clara Wong! Go, Clara, go!


At the running leg of the race, No. 30 Adriana Barraza from Mexico started
leading!


Followed closely by No. 10 Yuka Sato from Japan!


No. 2 Kelly White from USA and No. 25 Ellie Salthouse from Australia
rubbing shoulders!


There were already some girls doing their second loop of the 5 km run and
among the spectators I could hear worrying voices asking, “Where’s Clara?”


There was loud applause when Clara finally arrived, nevermind she was
the last one to start her running leg of the race! Go, Clara, go!!!!

I heard from Tisu Boy later he saw from very far that Clara had a fall at one point…That explained why we had to wait so long over here… 😦


In the meantime, it was tough fight among the running girls…


Nice running posture!


It was only later from the media that I realised that there were more
crashes during the cycling leg that two of them needed to be sent to the
hospital for treatment. She must be among one of them in the crash. With
all those painful cuts and bruises, it was not an easy task to complete the race!

One interesting thing looking at the photos now was…


Some girls had tapes to cover some graphics on their gears…


Black tapes here…


Ooops….her masking tape’s coming out… :p


Japan’s Sato running ahead of the race…I think we had a champion soon


With the two girls from Australia and USA, still running side by side,
following very closely


Someone was shadowing her very closely!

Over at the spectators’ area, we were all waiting very anxiously for the champion to emerge…


Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising
Committee, was among the VIP stand waiting…


And yes! No. 10 Yuka Sato from Japan was the first to run to the finishing
line with a time of 1:00: 49.69! Now I was glad I stayed at the spectators’
area to catch this!


No. 25 Ellie Salthouse from Australia came in second barely a minute later


Coming very close was no. 2 Kelly White from USA. So close that I didn’t
get to take her photo passing me! Over at the finishing line, the top two
girls seemed to be congratulating each other… :p


Though they knew that they did not make it to the podium, all the girls gave
their best and finished the race


So happy to finish! All the triathletes were winners of their own race!

Eventually all the other triathletes crossed the finishing line. All of us waited patiently for our own Singapore triathlete to cross the finishing line…


Then finally Clara Wong appeared! All the spectators gave her a loud cheers
and applause, with many reaching out to her for encouragement, but that
also blocked my view for a better photo… 😦

After the exciting moment, some spectators began to leave. I also followed cos I wanna look for more photo opportunities of the triathletes after their race. But that was a mistake! I wanted to catch the award ceremony which I thought would be somewhere nearer the finishing line. But it turned out that it was to happen right in front of the spot I was standing all the while! Damn! Missed the action again!


Could only photograph the back of the winners receiving their medals! 😦


The flags raising with Japan’s national anthem playing in the background


The result. See the full official result here


Luckily after the flag raising, the girls turned over and walked past! Yeah!
Hmmm, Sato actually looked quite sweet!


The same goes with Ellie!


Well done girls!

In any competitions, there will be winners and losers. But I think to be able to compete at an international level is already an achievement. Nevermind if they do not win or come up last. As long as they had given their best and not give up, that should be reason enough to celebrate and cheer for all the girls!

Also see related post:
> Blazing the Trail – YOG Torch Relay

Singapore 1960

August 17, 2010 at 3:45 pm | Posted in itchy mouth | 2 Comments
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Itchyfingers was attracted to this exhibition at the National Museum by its poster showing the former Singapore National Theatre, which was built in 1963 and demolished in mid 1986 due to a design defect. I always wonder if, with improved technology, whether it is possible to somehow correct the fault and rebuild this iconic building. I thought the design was unique, certainly very retro-looking from modern days’ view.


The exhibition brochure

So it was with a bit of anticipation to see and learn more about the National Theatre that Itchyfingers paid the exhibition a visit. But after viewing the whole exhibition, we were really disappointed to find not even a photo of it. It was only later that we found out that there was a public talk on architecture in the 60s, which we missed. 😦

So why an exhibition on Singapore in the 1960s? Well, 1960 was a special year because “it was a time of cultural awakening and fervency driven by a fast evolving socio-political climate. It was time when many social and cultural policies made set the foundation of how Singapore was to become…”


The first gallery showcased Singapore’s political history. Can you recognise
anyone here?


The most familiar faces must be that of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew
and the late Dr Goh Keng Swee


Forgot what historical moment this diorama was depicting…The one
standing should be MM Lee


Old map of Singapore. Notice Sentosa was still called Pulau Blakang Mati?

On display were huge excerpts from old newspapers in the 60s.


Singapore’s first Silver Olympics Medal by Tan Howe Liang!


Scary ad of weight gain supplement with bad photo cropping of woman
without hand…Eat at your risk…hahha…!


There were galleries showcasing literatures, news, fashion and culture


Peranakan tradition costumes.Wow! See-through top! So sexy! :p


An old cover of Her World Magazine


A photo of Malayan Airline stewardess

Itchyfingers were particularly intrigued by the collection of record albums by local singers in that era….


Just look at the hairstyle! This is what we called the ‘galy pok’ (curry puff)
hairstyle…hahahahah!!!!


And look at the side burn! Hahaha….so retro…


One more…I think this local singer is still pretty active in his line now


They seemed to prefer the side profile poses in those days…hahah…Oooo
look at the glasses… :p


Er…actually he looked a bit scary…hahah…ooops, no offence to fans! :p


Very old school graphic design! Notice they gave mention to the band


Actually he reminded me of one of the channel 8’s reporter!


A rare outdoor shoot for cover!


This was produced by the then RTS (today’s MediaCorp). She was signed
as their artiste. Her hairstyle didn’t seem to change much


This hairstyle still looks quite common today… :p


But definitely not this one! Really typical 1960s ‘beehive’ hairstyle! haha…


Curly side burn!


Another ‘beehive’ hairstyle…hahah

On display at another gallery were things found in daily lives, like in a coffeeshop…


A Tiger Beer coaster! The tiger looked so comical! :p


A metal tray


An updated design. The tiger under the coconut tree design hasn’t change
much since the early days

And while you are there, go ahead and sit down at one of the round tables and have a cuppa kopi...


“Hello, hello…anyone home?” 8)


And remember to pick up this interactive and informative activity booklet –
best suited for students age 13 and above…

At those times, amusement parks provided affordable entertainment and leisure activities for everyone. Neon lights were a common sight too. Hence it was so appropriate to have such a bright and welcoming sign at the entrance of the exhibition.


It reminded Itchyfingers of Saturday Night Fever! Hahaha! Remember one
of our earliest masthead for the New Year?

Overall, Itchyfingers feel that the galleries were too small and there could be more interesting items on display. But maybe some of these would replicate those already in the permanent galleries on the second level. But it is still worth a visit if you are interested to know more about the old Singapore. Do visit Singapore 1960 at the National Museum of Singapore from now till 22 August! Only about one week to go, so hurry! Admission is FREE! 😀

Also see related posts:
> Wolves in Sheeps’ Skins – Head On by Cai Guo-Qiang
> A Retrospective of 100 Singapore Icons
> Talking Behind the Bags – Carrier Bags in Singapore from the 1950s to the 1980s
> Selamat Datang to the Peranakan Museum

Blazing the Trail – YOG Torch Relay

August 12, 2010 at 11:47 pm | Posted in itchy mouth | Leave a comment
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Itchyfingers was lucky to have made it in time to catch the Youth Olympics Games (YOG) Torch Relay at the neighbourhood of Clementi this evening!

The moment I came out of the MRT station, I looked at the direction of the temporary bus interchange and saw some traffic police blocking the road. I quickly made my way down the stairs, only to see two brightly coloured open-top bus like those used in the Hippo Tour with full loads of cheering people drove past! Too far and quick for my small camera to capture! :O

I thought that was it…or maybe the Youth Olympics Flame had already passed by since it was past 6pm. But the traffic police were still around and there were still many people standing around, waiting with their cameras. So I thought I should just hang around for a little longer…

Alas, about five minutes later at about 6.20pm, I saw the Torchbearer and his entourage!


Yeah! I saw the Torch!


I was the only one standing on the road divider when they passed by. Most
people stood next to the traffic light or by the roads


Was pleasantly surprised to see them passing the flame right in front of me!


And yes! I got the moment! Too bad the view was blocked by one of the
many accompanying runners, or ‘bouncers’ I would call them….hahaha…
But I think no matter where you stood, you would definitely be blocked by
them…unless you were one of the official photographers who were allowed
to stand in the middle of road…


Everything happened so fast! The second Torchbearer started running before
I could take a better shot…


And off they went! The photographers were sitting comfortably in the
vehicle in front…

I wanted to follow them but being on the road divider, I had to cross the road first…


Gotta give way to the bus and traffic police first before crossing…

I crossed the road and wanted to follow them to take some more shots but there were too many people crowding around at the bus stop ahead and then more at the road outside the primary school…I just couldn’t make my way fast enough to catch up! 😦


Many people still crowding around even after the relay team were gone

The whole torch relay here lasted not more than two minutes, but I was glad I was able to catch it in time, and right in front of me! 🙂

Also see related posts:
> Call For Celebration – Singapore Wins Bid for Youth Olympic 2010
> Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games

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