Olympian Mark Chay Named Secretary General of Singapore Olympic Committee
Olympic swimmer Mark Chay has been named the secretary general of the Singapore National Olympic Committee, it announced on Tuesday.
Chay’s appointment will be effective April 1. He succeeds Chris Chan, who is retiring from the position, which he has held since 2002.
Chay attended BYU in the United States. He swam at two Olympics for Singapore, also representing the country at the Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
He has worked in a variety of sporting administrative capacities, including field hockey, kickboxing, fencing, esports and of course swimming. He chaired the SNOC’s Athletes Commission during his career before becoming a Vice President of the organization.
Chay served as a Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore. He coached swimming, among his charges Paralympic champion Yip Pin Xiu.
“It is an honour to be appointed Secretary General of SNOC, and I am deeply grateful to Mr Chris Chan for his remarkable leadership and dedication to Singapore’s sporting fraternity over the past two decades,” Chay said in a press release. “His contributions have laid a strong foundation for the Olympic Movement in Singapore, and I am committed to building on his legacy.
“Looking ahead, my focus will be on supporting our athletes in their pursuit of excellence, fostering a sporting community rooted in friendship and respect, and inspiring the next generation to dream big. I also believe in the importance of developing a strong pipeline of local sports administrators, equipping them to take on global roles and further strengthen Singapore’s presence on the international sports stage. By working closely with the sporting community, I look forward to advancing these efforts and celebrating the unifying and uplifting power of sport.”
Chay’s work includes with trade associations in the Middle East, giving him a wide network of connections. Singapore will play host to this year’s World Aquatics Championships, part of an expanding influence of Asia on the world of swimming.
“We are deeply grateful for Chris Chan’s outstanding service to SNOC and Singapore sports,” SNOC president Grace Fu said. “His leadership has shaped the sporting landscape in Singapore, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation for his dedication. As we look ahead, we are confident that Mark Chay’s experience, passion, and vision will further propel the Olympic Movement in Singapore and support our athletes in achieving sporting excellence.”