Sporting Life: For athletes, a first Games is a precious thing

This year, 243 out of 427 athletes in Singapore's SEA Games contingent will be debutants. PHOTO: AFP
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First time, a heartbreak. First time, Chelsea Sim won't forget. First time in a SEA Games and she cries in her coach's arms, she cries in the waiting room, she cries because at 18 in 2013 she learns a first, hard lesson. You can't control everything in sport.

In reports later, it is explained why. A home competitor from Myanmar, despite errors in the taekwondo women's poomsae, is given a higher score and Sim is left with silver.

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