Yip Pin Xiu Wins Her Second Gold Medal in 2024 Paris Games

On 1 September 2024, Yip Pin Xiu, Singapore’s most decorated Paralympian, won her seventh Paralympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

The 32-year-old swimmer clinched gold in the women’s 50m backstroke S2 event, shortly after winning the 100m backstroke S2 event on Friday.

Yes, Singapore’s golden girl has been collecting gold medals throughout her swimming career while the only gold we have are the gold chocolate coins we have during CNY.

Yip’s Achievements

With her latest victories, Yip has achieved a third consecutive double gold at the Paralympics, having previously won both the 50m and 100m backstroke S2 events at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Games.

She is now a seven-time Paralympic champion, with her gold medal tally spanning four Paralympic Games dating back to her debut at Beijing 2008.

In addition to her Paralympic successes, Yip holds the world records in the 50m backstroke S2, 100m backstroke S2, and 200m freestyle S2 events. She is also a multiple world champion, having won titles at the World Para Swimming Championships in 2019 and 2022.

Who is Yip Pin Xiu?

You have to be living under a rock not to know her.

Born with muscular dystrophy, a condition that causes progressive muscle degeneration, she has been wheelchair-bound since her early teens.

Growing up, Yip faced discrimination and ostracism from classmates and teachers due to her disability. However, she credits these experiences with making her “really tough” and driving her to succeed.

Yip made history at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics by winning Singapore’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal in the 50m backstroke S3 event. Her achievement sparked a public outcry when it was revealed that Paralympic gold medalists received far less financial reward than their Olympic counterparts under Singapore’s Athlete’s Achievement Award Programme.

Thanks in part to Yip’s trailblazing success, Paralympic gold medalists in Singapore now receive S$500,000, a five-fold increase from the S$100,000 awarded in 2008.

Beyond her sporting achievements, Yip is widely recognized as an advocate and role model for disability inclusion in Singapore. From 2018 to 2020, she served as a Nominated Member of Parliament, using her platform to speak about the need for greater integration of disability and able-bodied sports.

In 2022, Yip was awarded the prestigious President’s Award for Inspiring Achievement, which recognizes Singaporeans who have demonstrated remarkable courage and persistence in overcoming personal adversity. She has also been inducted into the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame and the Singapore Sports Hall of Fame.