“I started mainly on the call room (side of things). Where they report, and then you take their attendance. It was mainly that role,” he recalled. “I didn’t have the opportunity to go on deck and become a referee or inspector of turns or judges of strokes.”
What drove Peng Wee to volunteer were several factors.
“First, get a better understanding of the rules on strokes, how the competition is being run, how it is being managed,” he said.
“Then it’s time to give that knowledge (back) and continue to educate the local community. The community meaning my athletes, the coaches. It was more of a continuity from swimming.”
In his capacity as a coach, Peng Wee was involved in the development of some of Singapore’s national swimmers, such as Jonathan Tan, who made his Games debut on Tuesday (Jul 30).
HIS ROLE IN PARIS
Over the years, Peng Wee has been involved in the organisation and planning of world-class international swimming events, and has also been part of various swimming committees at the Asian and global levels.
While he managed to catch 2004 and 2012 Games live, Peng Wee has never been directly involved at the Olympics.
“When I got myself involved in the World Aquatics technical swimming committee, I had the opportunity to officiate at many international events … With the exposure and the experience, selection (for Paris) was given based on those meets I have officiated,” Peng Wee said.
“To fulfil the dream of (being an) Olympian as an athlete, it didn’t materialise. So the next dream is to officiate and be at the Olympics,” he added.
One of two Singaporean technical officials for swimming, Peng Wee is eligible for a number of roles but has so far been a video assistant tucked away in a room within the Paris La Defense Arena.
“For this event, I am so far involved in VAR – I analyse strokes and if there are infractions executed during the swim.”