Pictures by Les Tan

Li Jiawei (left) holds out her silver medal for the media photographers while Feng Tianwei takes a quick glance at hers. (Photo 1 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Raffles City, Monday, August 25, 2008 – Olympic silver medalists Li Jiawei, Wang Yuegu and Feng Tianwei received the pleasant news from Minister Vivian Balakhrishnan this afternoon that the Singapore government has decided to award them the Meritorious Service Medal.

The Team Singapore contingent stepped off the flight from Beijing this afternoon at Changi Airport and were whisked off on an open top bus, making stops at Tampines Secondary School and Geylang Serai, among other places, to thank Singaporeans for their support. At Raffles City, a venue known more for fashion than sport, a contingent of supporters and friends welcomed the athletes, with the loudest applause reserved for the silver medalists and swimmer Tao Li.

The award is rare for an athlete, with only Tan Howe Liang and Joscelin Yeo the only previous sports recipients of the award. Other award winners include diplomat Chan Heng Chee, the late artist Chen Wen Hsi and poet Edwin Thumboo.

A young supporter waits for the team to show up. (Photo 2 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

A cheering group of supporters welcomed the team. (Photo 3 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports )

Tao Li (in red) with a ready smile for the crowd. (Photo 4 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

“What did one Olympian say to another Olympian?” 1960 Rome Olympics silver medalist Tan Howe Liang shares a word with table tennis Olympic silver medalist Wang Yuegu. (Photo 5 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

In an unscripted moment, Feng Tianwei asked for the microphone and declared her gratefulness for her coach Liu Guodong. (Photo 6 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Li Jiawei kisses her silver medal for the cameras while flanked by Wang Yuegu (left) and Feng Tianwei. (Photo 7 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Ordinarily, if a man wearing a clown suit with a painted face sat next to you and smiled at you like that, you’d call the police. (Photo 7 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)