Singapore, which had its flag raised at the Olympic Village in Beijing on Wednesday, is expecting to bring home one medal from the Beijing Games.

"The team spirit is high. The preparation work is good, and the athletes were given all the chances to warm-up after we arrive in Beijing. Our objective is to win a medal in the Beijing Olympic Games and any color will do," said chef de mission Tan Eng Liang after the ceremony.

Since Singapore first participated in the Summer Games in 1948 in London, it has never won one gold medal. Weightlifter Howe-Liang Tan's silver in the 77kg category at the 1960 Rome Games remained the country's only Olympic medal.

Table tennis players Jing Jun Hong and Li Jiawei both went close to adding to the medal count in recent Games, finishing fourth in the women's singles at the 2000 and 2004 Games, respectively.

The 26 athletes of Singapore delegation will compete in athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, shooting and sailing in the Beijing Olympic Games.

Table tennis star Li Jiawei, fourth placer in Athens Games, remains to be Singapore's top medal prospect.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)