'Heartbroken' but proud, Max Maeder’s parents reflect on their child's historic Olympic medal for Singapore
"I know my son ... he felt like he let a lot of people down,” the 17-year-old kitefoiler's mother tells CNA.
Singapore's kitefoiler Max Maeder shares a hug with his mother, Hwee Keng Maeder, at the Paris Olympics on Aug 9, 2024. (Photo: SNOC/Kong Chong Yew)
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MARSEILLE: Minutes after securing his Olympic medal, Hwee Keng Maeder and her son Maximilian shared a quiet moment in a tent.
Arms draped around the 17-year-old kitefoiler, her message was simple - that although he was upset, he had made history.
Maeder clinched a bronze at the Paris Olympics on Friday (Aug 9), becoming the youngest Singaporean to medal at the Games.
He also ended his country's eight-year wait for an Olympic podium finish, since swimmer Joseph Schooling won gold in 2016.
But there were mixed emotions for the back-to-back world champion, after a three-race, two-day final which ended with Austria's Valentin Bontus winning gold while Slovenia's Toni Vodisek took silver.
“I'll speak the truth and say I haven't finished sulking, but I'm putting a smile on now," said Maeder. "I still need to process everything that's going on because, yeah, it's a lot."
Speaking to CNA, Hwee Keng said she knew her son did not want to disappoint others.
“I’m heartbroken because he is sad," she said.
“I know my son, he doesn’t feel good about himself … he felt like he's let a lot of people down."
Because of how he was brought up to never compare himself with others, Maeder instead holds himself to his own standards, she added.
But regardless of the final result at the Marseille Marina, Maeder would have known that he could always count on his parents for support and love.
"He's made history," Hwee Keng added. "I'm proud of him like any mother is proud of their child."
She said she hoped he would see the bigger picture - that race conditions and the overall situation, with multiple delays, was no walk in the park.
His father Valentin told CNA: “Today was definitely a little sketchy with the wind … you have to have a little bit of luck and have to have the right wind at the right time.
“Like I said before, we’re still proud of him win or not. He’s still the same Max,” the elder Maeder added.
“I think he really has inspired Singapore, by bringing home the one medal. It’s a nice birthday present."
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