Tao Li still defiant, even if the dream is over

PICTURE: LIANHE ZAOBAO

COMMENT
Now we know exactly where Tao Li stands. Many of Tao Li’s fellow competitors have raced well ahead of her.

She will take a two-month break and then sit down with coach Ian Turner and map out a programme and strategy for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

She insisted yesterday she can train in Singapore, but would like stints and competitions abroad. She says if her friends from China, Japan and South Korea can do so well at the London Games, so can she in Rio.

With so many faster butterfly flyers well ahead of her, and hungry new faces owning a Phelps-like work ethic surely to emerge out of their cocoons from all over the world, I can’t help but feel Tao Li has missed her chance.