Singapore, December 21, 2022: Singapore National Olympic Council has paid tribute to a veteran Olympian from London 1948 who has passed away at the age of 97.
“Rest in peace, ‘Mr Twinkletoes’ Chia Boon Leong. You will be missed,” Singapore NOC said in a Facebook posting.
“Olympian Mr Chia Boon Leong, fondly known as Twinkletoes, passed on last evening at the age of 97,” the report added.
“Boon Leong was a prolific footballer in his heyday. He toured with the Lien Hwa (United Chinese) team in 1947 as a 22-year-old and was the only one to appear in all 23 games.
“A few months later, he was chosen to represent China in the 1948 Olympic Games in London. Back then, the rules allowed an ethnic Chinese to represent China even if they were not born in the country.
“He remained active in sports and often supported many events and occasions whenever possible. We last saw him in April this year when IOC President Thomas Bach visited Singapore. He will be missed by many.”
Source: @sgolympics
