Singapore had an early morning hero’s homecoming today (13 August), as kitefoiler Max Maeder returned home to Changi Airport.
It’s no secret that Singapore doesn’t exactly have the best international track record for sports. Hey, if fining people was an Olympic sport we’d be world champions, but unfortunately, it isn’t.
Our athletes gave a strong effort for their respective sports, with Loh Kean Yew reaching the quarter-finals of singles badminton, but the medals and elusive podium spot stayed just out of grasp for Team Singapore.
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Max Maeder Returns Home With Bronze Medal
Then, almost fittingly, Maximilian Maeder presented Singapore with a birthday gift on 9 August when he clinched the bronze medal in the Men’s Kite category of sailing, a rather niche sport.
Just 17 years old, Maeder is Singapore’s youngest Olympic medal winner. This was also eight years since Singapore’s last Olympic medal, Joseph Schooling’s stunning gold medal performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
As Maeder touched down back home and emerged from Changi Airport Terminal 3’s arrival hall at around 6 am, about 100 supporters were waiting for him. They took photos with him and had him sign autographs for them.
The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong was also present to greet Maeder, giving him a flower garland.
Many young children were also up early to greet the bronze medallist, including a six-year-old holding up a sign which read, “I skipped school to see Max Maeder.”
Gasp, undeniable proof that Max Maeder is a bad influence!
8world News reported that Maeder was very happy to see a large group of supporters welcoming him home.
He found the children especially heartwarming, as they had all gotten out of bed before dawn just to greet him.
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When asked what he wanted to do most, he gave the practical answer of taking a shower. However, he also wanted to see his family again and eat his grandma’s food with them.
As for any future plans, Maeder said he wanted to take a short break first before getting back to the grind for future competitions.
He thanked everyone present for their support and companionship during his Olympic journey.
Parade for Olympians to be Held on 14 August
Also returning with Maeder was Ryan Lo, who participated in Sailing too, under the Men’s Laser category.
Unfortunately, this does not involve ships shooting Star Wars lasers at each other. The Laser is a class of sailing dinghy.
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Lo had previously taken the gold in the 2019 and 2023 SEA games in this very category but came up short in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
When interviewed upon his return, he shared his joy about the sailing accomplishment and bronze medal win, saying it was a great blessing to see how far Max Maeder had come.
He also said he wanted to eat his mother’s home-cooked food again after months away.
Sport Singapore announced a celebratory parade for all the Singaporean Olympians in an open-top bus on 14 August, starting in front of Marina Bay Sands at 11:45 am.
Will we survive such a concentration of Singapore pride in one place?
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