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Singapore Paralympians immortalised as Lego figurines Singapore Paralympians immortalised as Lego figurines
(about 3 hours later)
It's the ultimate Lego dream: Two of Singapore's Paralympian athletes have been immortalised as toy figurines. It's the ultimate Lego dream: two of Singapore's Paralympic medal winners have been immortalised as toy figurines.
Swimmers Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh come complete with their own swimsuits and medals. Swimmers Yip Pin Xiu, a double gold medal-holder, and Theresa Goh, who won her first medal in Rio this week after attending four Paralympics, come complete with their own swimsuits and medals.
In a post on its official page that drew more than 3,000 reactions, Lego praised the duo's achievements at this year's Summer Paralympics held in Rio. In a post on its official page that drew more than 3,000 reactions, Lego praised the women's achievements in Rio.
"Congratulations to Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh for bringing pride to Singapore! Your accomplishments have inspired us all," the company said."Congratulations to Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh for bringing pride to Singapore! Your accomplishments have inspired us all," the company said.
Many Singaporeans, including Goh herself, have also shared the post and expressed delight at the "adorable" figurines.Many Singaporeans, including Goh herself, have also shared the post and expressed delight at the "adorable" figurines.
"Thank you for giving them their well-deserved recognition," wrote Sylvia Heng on Facebook."Thank you for giving them their well-deserved recognition," wrote Sylvia Heng on Facebook.
"Hope there will be more companies following your lead," said Alderline Wong, referencing recent public pressure on Singaporean brands and firms to offer its Paralympians the same gold medal treatment that swimmer Joseph Schooling received after his Olympic win. "Hope there will be more companies following your lead," said Alderline Wong, referencing recent public pressure on Singaporean brands and firms to offer its Paralympians the same treatment that swimmer Joseph Schooling received.
Others suggested the company sell the figurines to raise money and drum up support for the country's disabled athletes. It is unclear if the figures will be widely available for purchase. In August, the city-state went into celebratory overdrive when Joseph Schooling beat his childhood hero Michael Phelps to bring home Singapore's first ever Olympic gold medal. Celebrations for Yip and Goh have so far paled in comparison.
Others suggested Lego sell the figurines to raise money and drum up support for other disabled athletes. It is unclear if the figures will be widely available for purchase.
Lego has previously created mini-figurines of Paralympians to "celebrate sporting achievement and overcome adversity".Lego has previously created mini-figurines of Paralympians to "celebrate sporting achievement and overcome adversity".
The company also launched a five-piece set to "teach children about the Paralympics and help increase support for such an under supported area of sport", all of which were sentiments expressed in a personal Instagram post by Yip that detailed the struggles faced by Paralympic athletes. The company also launched a five-piece set to "teach children about the Paralympics and help increase support for such an under supported area of sport".
Those sentiments were expressed in a personal Instagram post by Yip earlier this week, celebrating her and Goh's achievements and highlighting the struggles they had faced to get there.
"Nobody knows our journey like us," Yip wrote."Nobody knows our journey like us," Yip wrote.
Criticism and calls grew for Singapore's Paralympians to be given the same recognition and pay as Olympians.
In August, the city-state went into celebratory overdrive when swimmer Joseph Schooling beat his childhood hero Michael Phelps to bring home its first ever Olympic gold medal.
But celebrations for Yip and Goh have noticeably paled by comparison.
Reporting by the BBC's Heather Chen in Singapore.Reporting by the BBC's Heather Chen in Singapore.