Interview by Leslie Tan/Red Sports
George Yeo about to start dragonboat practice at Bedok Reservoir. (Photo 1 courtesy of George Yeo)
George Yeo is Singapore’s Foreign Minister and a Member of Parliament for the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC). Exercise plays a big part in his life and for the last two years, he ran in the 10km category of the Singapore Marathon.
Mr Yeo studied at St Patrick’s School and St Stephen’s School for his primary education, then went on to St Patrick’s School and St Joseph’s Institution for his secondary education. He topped his O Level cohort in 1970 and became a President’s Scholar as well as a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Scholar in 1973. He then went on to study Engineering at Cambridge University where he graduated with a Double First in 1976.
In an exclusive interview with Red Sports, Foreign Minister George Yeo shares with us the role sports and exercise has played in his life.
Leslie Tan, Red Sports: What part has sports and exercise played in your life?
George Yeo: I’m not a sporty sort and don’t have good ball sense. But keeping fit (or trying to) has been a part of my life since late secondary school days. In Sec 2, I became tubby and was told off by my elder brother. I have never been overweight since then. In the Army, I had to do PT of course.
I enjoy swimming, especially in the sea, but don’t do it regularly.
Running has always been a part of my life. For years, I ran alone, up to 9km, along ECP. It was like a kind of meditation. Nowadays, I run with friends, often in my own constituency. Mostly at Bedok Reservoir.
I was ‘persuaded’ to take up golf in the Army by Gen Winston Choo. Never really mastered it. Don’t really enjoy it. Maybe, when I retire, I’ll go back to it. My handicap is terrible.
Started using gyms regularly from the early 30s. Wished I had done so earlier and had better coaching.
Please share one significant moment, story or achievement from your experience playing or participating in sports and exercise.
Swimming off Changi Beach Club beyond the safety buoys. Suddenly found myself helpless against strong current even though I’m a reasonably strong swimmer. Luckily I knew the area well. Instead of fighting the current, I swam with it and beached at Changi Sailing Club. Then walked back from there. If you panic and fight the current, you can drown.
What’s your perspective on how physically rugged Singaporeans are as a people?
Varies a lot. Many more young Singaporeans use gyms now to look good. I advise my kids that what matters is persistence, making it a part of their lives. Should not only be pursued as fashion or fad. I advise those who are in their early 30s not to let go and lose control, as many do.
I see Singaporeans generally more health-conscious. Senior citizens love the exercise equipment that are increasingly available in housing estates and public parks. Qigong, taiji and other traditional exercises are popular.
I’ve been learning taijigong for almost two years now and find it enormously helpful and interesting. It is a new universe for me. Those who learn yoga feel the same way too.
Physical, mental and spiritual health are connected. I’m slowing understanding this.
Sports in Singapore is growing in significance. What is your wish for Singapore’s sporting future?
Good health is more important than anything else. But in the end we all grow old and die. What is important is that while we live, we should live life to the full and make the world around us a little better.
Spectator Sports as entertainment is only entertainment.
Sports as an expression of what the human body, mind and spirit are capable of is wondrous.
George Yeo Fitness Fact File
10 km run: 1 hour 6 mins
5 km run: 30min
2.4 km: don’t run this distance anymore
Age: 57
Height: 1.73m
Weight: 69kg
George Yeo after a run in the business district with Team FatBird, a running group. (Photo 2 courtesy of George Yeo)
George Yeo (centre, back) during his BMT days. (Photo 3 courtesy of George Yeo)
George Yeo in his officer cadet uniform. (Photo 4 courtesy of George Yeo)
“Started using gyms regularly from the early 30s. Wished I had done so earlier and had better coaching,” said George Yeo. (Photo 5 courtesy of George Yeo)
What about an interview with Nicole Seah? I am sure everyone here will like it, except for Ms Tin’s fans. But dunno if Nicole is into sports though.
I disagree with Nicole Seah when she said George Yeo can run for Presidency.
We should NOT vote for George Yeo for President, should he decided to run.
A vote for George Yeo means a vote for PAP.
What George Yeo should do is to work the ground in Aljunied GRC and try to win it back in the next election.
After all, PAP has always chided the Opposition for running away after they have lost.
…There are many non-political party linked and capable people in Singapore who are more suitable for President.
And I think it is time that a Malay Singaporean be the President.
(I am Chinese)
Yeo already said he is not going to run for anymore GRC campaigns. He is already so old. Even if he wins back the 2017 elections, how long more can he serve unless of course u want him to be senior minister or minister mentor.
I do not like how you associate him with the PAP. Yes he is under the party but not everything is about the party. He is a human like every one of us and just wants to live his life to the fullest. Him not running for the next elections doesnt mean that he is running away but wants to do something else that he feels fulfilling.
Chiam See Tong still fighting at age of 76 and after 2 strokes. It show his fighting spirit and perseverance. A true sportsman.
George Yeo will continue to work hard in Aljunied GRC so that he can win it back in 5 years’ time. He is not one who will give up so easily. I think his failure is his inability to connect with the common folk.
It’s ok, George!” Although you have lost, you can still be a good ambassador for Singapore to another country
Eh, harlo, why everyone see things from only one perspective one?
I’m just a sports fan. So first thing that hit me was ‘WAH, 10km in 66 minutes at 57 years old!!!’ Eh you can do it or not? What elections?
Aiyah, we read what we want to read.
If you think they are bias, then you are also bias what.
Don’t pot call kettle black, leh.
super like!!
I read the story about Geoge Yeo and I don’t think it was linked to any political promotion. Please stop the accuse and leave this website.
some readers really stupid. the story where got anything bout politics. pls lah. i think u r e one who bringing your “secret agenda” to this site. got anywhere say PLEASE VOTE PAP anot?! don have rite unless ur eye got special power can see words we cannot lah. and how u noe the interview wasnt done way before election. donoe don anyhow talk can. and don be dumb can pls? if les resign then this site no more liao. use ur brain pls tyvm.
Please consider resigning from RedSports. You are most UNFIT to perform any volunteer work here, since you always have a secret agenda, in whatever you do.
Eh, this site is privately owned. Means owner can publish whatever he wants to. You all never use Internet before isit? Don’t like don’t read lah! No need to come here and throw rubbish.
it’s his own damn site retard…might as well tell all the other millions of bloggers to stop blogging too.
douchebag.
It is morally wrong to use your authority to promote a political party’s candidate in a schools’ sports website. You said you have approached the Workers’ Party too. But we all know that the opposition parties do not have the manpower during the busy campaigning period, with candidates having only 4 hrs of sleep every day, to attend to your interview. The ruling party, PAP, have thousands of kar-kia to help them. Their candidates have the time to help you. You said you approach PAP, so did you specifically ask for George Yeo; or did you contact George Yeo directly? There are 87 PAP candidates, so why George Yeo? The whole nation know that he is fighting a major political battle with the WP. Why do you have to abuse your power to do this? Do you dare to say that you do not have a secret political agenda? Why politicize sports? Do you have to brainwash students? Have you been paid? It is really a very despicable act.
In a few days’ time, George will no longer be an MP or minister. Hope the article can be altered then to reflect it.
I don’t understand why an article on George Yeo appear here at this time. The whole nation know that Aljunied GRC is the hottest ward being contested now; and Singaporeans are going to the polls this Saturday.
I suspect the author has a secret agenda for this article.
ED’S NOTE: A WORKERS PARTY CANDIDATE WAS ALSO INVITED FOR A SIMILAR INTERVIEW BUT DECLINED. WE CANNOT NAME THE CANDIDATE OUT OF RESPECT FOR THEIR PRIVACY SINCE THE INVITATION WAS DECLINED.