Tao Li: Difference between revisions

Tao Li
	At a ceremony welcoming Team Singapore home from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, 25 August 2008
Personal information
Nationality	Singaporean
Born	10 January 1990 (age 34); Wuhan, Hubei, China
Height	1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Weight	58 kg (128 lb) (2006)
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Backstroke, butterfly stroke
Club	Swimfast Aquatic Club
College team	Singapore Sports School
Medal record
Women's swimming
Representing Singapore
Asian Games
FINA Swimming World Cup
Asian Championships
Southeast Asian Games

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Revision as of 08:39, 1 March 2016

Template:Chinese name Tao Li (Chinese: 陶李; pinyin: Táo Lǐ; born 10 January 1990) is a China-born Singaporean competitive swimmer specializing in the backstroke and butterfly stroke.

A Singapore Sports School student, Tao has represented Singapore at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and Asian Games and holds several national records. She won four gold medals and a bronze at the 2005 SEA Games in the Philippines, and reached the finals of the women's 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres butterfly events at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne though she did not gain any medals. In December 2006, Tao took a gold medal at the 50 metres butterfly in Doha's 2006 Asian Games, beating China's multi-gold medallist Xu Yanwei and breaking her own national record in the process. She became Singapore's most medalled athlete at the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand, winning four gold medals. Earlier in the year, she also became the first Singaporean female swimmer to reach a FINA World Aquatics Championships final, finishing seventh in the 50 metres butterfly.

Tao made her Olympic début for Singapore at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She qualified for the 100 metres finals, ranking fourth in the semifinals with a time of 57.54 seconds and setting two Asian records in two days. She thus became the first Singaporean swimmer to enter an Olympic final. She emerged fifth at the women's 100 metres butterfly finals with a time of 57.99 seconds.

Early life and education

Tao Li was born on 10 January 1990^[3] in Wuhan, Hubei,^[4] in the People's Republic of China,^[5] the only child of Tao Ran and his wife Li Yan, who were both former provincial swimmers and are now swimming coaches.^[6] Her early years were spent in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province. She started swimming at the age of five, and had started competitive swimming by the time she was ten. In her first contest she won two gold medals and broke two age records.^[4] On one occasion at a particular local meet that she was confident of winning, she had her parents attend. However, she lost and was so upset and worried about "losing face" that she asked her parents not to come for future competitions. While she has now overcome that fear, her parents still keep to the "tradition" of not attending her meets in order not to distract her. In 2002, at the age of 13 years, Tao was brought to Singapore by her mother.^[7] It was difficult for her parents to decide to send her to Singapore, and her father was initially against the idea as at the time she was training with a provincial swimming team and earning a monthly salary of RMB500, and there was a good chance she might do well enough to join the Chinese national team.^[2]^[6] However, they decided to do so after she was deemed too short for the national team.^[8] As her mother was not earning much, she found covering Tao's swimming expenses difficult.^[9] In addition, because Tao's English was not good, she had to join a Primary 5 class in Queenstown Primary School though she was three years older than her classmates and found things tough-going.^[4]^[9] However, she worked hard and took extra language lessons, and now converses fluently in English.^[9]

Tao became a Singapore citizen in August 2005.^[2]^[5] She is a Secondary 3 student at the Singapore Sports School in 2008, and is expected to continue her education there until she graduates with a diploma in sports science under an arrangement between the school and the Auckland University of Technology.^[10] She trains under the school's swimming coach Peter Churchill.^[8] Previously at the Aquatic Performance Swim Club under former Olympian Ang Peng Siong from 2001, following what was reported to be a contract dispute she started training in October 2006 with another former Olympian, David Lim, at Swimfast Aquatic Club.^[7]^[11]

Career as national swimmer

Tao has represented Singapore at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and Asian Games. Following her success at the 1st Hong Kong Open Invitational Championships in 2005 at which she won four gold medals and was named most outstanding female swimmer,^[12] at the 23rd SEA Games held in the Philippines later that year, she won golds for the 100 metres backstroke, 200 metres butterfly, and 4 x 100 metres medley relay with teammates Ho Shu Yong, Nicolette Teo and Joscelin Yeo.^[3]

In March the following year, she won gold in the 50 metres butterfly at the Milo Asia Swimming Championships in Singapore, the Republic's first top award at the competition.^[3]^[13] Between 16 and 21 March 2006 she took part in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, reaching the finals of the 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres butterfly, though she did not gain any medals.^[3] In December the same year, Tao won a gold medal at the 50 metres butterfly in Doha's 2006 Asian Games, beating China's multi-gold medallist Xu Yanwei and breaking her own national record in the process.^[14] She also won a bronze medal at the 100 metres butterfly earlier in the tournament, recording a national and Asian mark of 58.96 seconds.^[15]

Tao became the first Singaporean female swimmer to reach a FINA World Aquatics Championships final. The 2007 World Aquatics Championships were held in Melbourne from 17 March to 1 April 2007, and she finished seventh in the 50 metres butterfly.^[16] Later that year at the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand, she was Singapore's most medalled athlete at the Games, winning four gold medals in the 100 metres backstroke, 100 and 200 metres butterfly, and 4 x 100 metres medley relay.^[17] On 28 June 2008, Tao was named Sportswoman of the Year in the Singapore Sports Awards given out by the Singapore National Olympic Council^[18] each year.^[19] She also won the award in 2007.^[19]^[20]

In January 2008, Tao became embroiled in controversy after the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) introduced a 15% levy on the cash awards given to swimmers, with about 6% set aside for youth development. As part of the government's Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP), she received S$23,750 for winning three individual titles and one team gold at the 2007 SEA Games. She was therefore "taxed" S$3,562.50, with S$1,425 going to youth development. Unhappy with this, Tao said: "If they [the SSA] want to cultivate youth, they should find their own money, not pay using our awards. It's through our hard work that we got the money. So, I don't see the point that we should give the money to the youths." She also said it had been her school and not the SSA which had borne the expense of her overseas training. The SSA said it was "very disappointed" with her comments, and pointed out that the association had spent "easily in excess of $20,000" in sending her for competitions abroad such as the World Championships, Hong Kong Open and Japan International, and a stint at the Australian Institute of Sport. SSA Vice-President Oon Jin Gee told the press, "Even with the Sports School funding it, it's our taxpayers' dollars going into her development. It doesn't matter which avenue it comes from, it's still Singapore's support for her."^[21]

Tao powering her way to gold in the finals of the 100 metres short-course butterfly event on 1 November 2008 at the FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup, held at the Singapore Sports School.

2008 Summer Olympics

Tao made her Olympic début for Singapore at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, arriving ranked 26th out of 49 butterfly swimmers.^[22] On 9 August, the second day of the swimming competition, she qualified fourth fastest for the semifinals of the 100 metres butterfly after winning her heat with a personal best time of 57.77 seconds. The following day she made it to the finals, shaving off 0.23 seconds for another personal best time and new Asian record of 57.54 seconds. She came fourth behind her role model, Australian swimmer Lisbeth Trickett,^[22] and the USA's Christine Magnuson and Australia's Jessicah Schipper.^[23]^[24] She thus set two Asian records and the national record for the event,^[25] and became the eighth fastest butterfly swimmer in the world and first Singaporean swimmer to enter an Olympic final.^[23] On 11 August, she came fifth at the 100 metres butterfly finals with a time of 57.99 seconds. The top three spots were taken by Trickett (56.73 seconds), Magnuson (57.10 seconds) and Schipper (57.25 seconds).^[26]^[27] Asked by The Straits Times about her performance, Tao said, "If I have given another personal best, it would not have gotten me a medal. The top three winners were just too good. I wanted to do my best and I pushed all the way and hoped for the best."^[26] Given Tao's age compared to those of the medallists, there are hopes that she will be able to improve her performance at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.^[28]

On 12 August, Tao swam in the second heat of the 200 metres butterfly. She finished fifth (26th in a field of 34) and thus did not proceed to the semi-finals, but her time of 2 minutes 12.63 seconds was a new national record.^[29] Discussions have begun regarding plans for her future development. The Singapore Sports Council's high performance chief Wayde Clews has said: "Money will not be a prohibitive factor in providing the support and necessary resources for Tao Li to reach her full potential ... with the 2012 Olympics as the target."^[10] As Tao needs to gain more high-level competing experience, there is also the issue of whether she should continue training in Singapore or head overseas, particularly to Australia or the US.^[30]

Events between 2008 and 2012

On 1 November 2008 at the FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup in Singapore, Tao achieved gold in the 100 metres short-course (25 metres) butterfly, and the following evening a bronze in the 50 metres butterfly in a personal-best time of 25.93 seconds.^[31] She repeated her feat in the 100 metres butterfly at the Stockholm leg of the competition on 11 November,^[32] and in Berlin on 15 November when she set a competition record with a time of 56.28 seconds.^[33] Tao was named the inaugural The Straits Times Athlete of the Year 2008,^[8]^[34] and came second in Today newspaper's 2008 list of athletes of the year.^[35]

Tao participated in the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos. On 10 December 2009, she took the gold in the 200 metres backstroke in a time of 2 minutes 17.12 seconds.^[36] Three days later, she was part of the winning 4 x 100 metres medley relay team with Roanne Ho, Shana Lim and Quah Ting Wen,^[37] and on 14 December she broke her own 2005 Games record in the 200 metres butterfly in a time of 2 minutes 13.49 seconds. As she chalked up five wins, including the 100 metres backstroke and butterfly events, these were her most successful Games to date.^[38]

On 18 November 2010, Tao won Singapore's first gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, in the 50 metres butterfly. Her time of 26.10 seconds was a personal best as well as a national record.^[39] She had achieved silver in the 100 metres butterfly on 13 November.^[40]

2012 Summer Olympics

Tao competed for Singapore at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In the women's 100 metres butterfly she reached the semifinals held on 28 July, but with a time of 58.18 seconds did not do well enough to join the eight swimmers who advanced to the finals with times below 58 seconds. The next day, in the women's 100 metres backstroke, she bettered her national record with a time of 1 minute 1.6 seconds but did not advance beyond the heats, ranking only 26th out of 45 swimmers.^[41]

Medals

Time (min : s)	Medal	Date	Competition
100 m backstroke
1:02.96^[42] (Games record)	Gold	12 December 2009	25th Southeast Asian Games Vientiane, Laos
1:03.83^[3]^[43]	Gold	1 December 2005	23rd Southeast Asian Games Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
1:04.05^[17]	Gold	9 December 2007	24th Southeast Asian Games Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand
200 m backstroke
2:17:12^[36]	Gold	10 December 2009	25th Southeast Asian Games Vientiane, Laos
50 m butterfly
0:26.10^[39] (personal best, national record)	Gold	18 November 2010	2010 Asian Games Guangzhou, China
0:26.73^[44]	Gold	7 December 2006	2006 Asian Games Doha, Qatar
0:26.92^[3]^[13]	Gold	6 March 2006	Milo Asia Swimming Championships Singapore
50 m butterfly (short course – 25 m)
0:25.70^[45]	Bronze	16 November 2008	FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup Berlin, Germany
0:25.93^[31] (personal best)	Bronze	2 November 2008	FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup Singapore
100 m butterfly
0:58.24^[40]	Silver	13 November 2010	2010 Asian Games Guangzhou, China
0:58.96^[15]	Bronze	2 December 2006	2006 Asian Games Doha, Qatar
0:59.24^[42] (Games record)	Gold	12 December 2009	25th Southeast Asian Games Vientiane, Laos
1:00.33^[17]	Gold	9 December 2007	24th Southeast Asian Games Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand
1:01.10^[46]	Bronze	8 March 2006	Milo Asia Swimming Championships Singapore
1:01.53^[3]^[47]	Bronze	1 December 2005	23rd Southeast Asian Games Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
100 m butterfly (short course – 25 m)
0:56.28^[33] (competition record)	Gold	15 November 2008	FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup Berlin, Germany
0:56.85^[31]	Gold	1 November 2008	FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup Singapore
0:56.87^[32]	Gold	11 November 2008	FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup Stockholm, Sweden
0:58.50^[32]	Silver	10 November 2008	FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup Moscow, Russia
200 m butterfly
2:13.49^[38] (Games record)	Gold	14 December 2005	25th Southeast Asian Games Vientiane, Laos
2:14.11^[3]^[48]	Gold	3 December 2005	23rd Southeast Asian Games Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
2:15.63^[49]	Gold	11 December 2007	24th Southeast Asian Games Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand
4 × 100 m medley relay
4:10.38^[37] (Games record)	Gold	13 December 2009	25th Southeast Asian Games Vientiane, Laos
4:13.18^[50]	Gold	11 December 2007	24th Southeast Asian Games Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand
4:14.49^[3]^[51]	Gold	2 December 2005	23rd Southeast Asian Games Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

National records

As of 30 July 2012, Tao was the holder of the following Singapore records:

Open

Event	Time (min : s)	Date	Competition
50 m backstroke	0:29.20	4 December 2006	15th Asian Games Doha, Qatar
100 m backstroke	1:01.60^[41]	29 July 2012	30th Summer Olympics London, United Kingdom
200 m backstroke	2:17.12^[36]	10 December 2009	25th Southeast Asian Games Vientiane, Laos
50 m butterfly	0:26.10^[39]	18 November 2010	16th Asian Games Guangzhou, China
100 m butterfly	0:57.54^[25]	10 August 2008	29th Summer Olympics Beijing, People's Republic of China
200 m butterfly	2:12.63^[29]	12 August 2008	29th Summer Olympics Beijing, People's Republic of China
4 × 100 m freestyle relay (with Ho Shu Yong, Mylene Ong Chui Bin and Lynette Ng Hiang Yuet)	3:53.33	3 December 2006	15th Asian Games Doha, Qatar
4 × 100 m medley relay (with Roanne Ho, Shana Lim and Quah Ting Wen)	4:10.38^[37]	13 December 2009	25th Southeast Asian Games Vientiane, Laos

Some of the above information was obtained from Singapore national records (long-course metres), Singapore Swimming Association, 8 June 2008, archived from the original on 22 August 2008, retrieved 11 August 2008.

Under 17 years of age

Event	Time (min : s)	Date	Competition
50 m backstroke	0:29.20	4 December 2006	15th Asian Games Doha, Qatar
100 m backstroke	1:03.17	20 June 2007	3rd Singapore National Swim Championships Singapore
200 m backstroke	2:17.55	29 November 2005	23rd Southeast Asian Games Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
50 m butterfly	0:26.73	7 December 2006	15th Asian Games Doha, Qatar
100 m butterfly	0:58.96	2 December 2006	15th Asian Games Doha, Qatar
200 m butterfly	2:14.11	3 December 2005	23rd Southeast Asian Games Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
4 × 100 m medley relay (with Roanne Ho Ru'En, Koh Ting Ting and Mylene Ong Chui Bin)	4:24.78	2 September 2006	2nd Hong Kong Open Swimming Championships 2006 Hong Kong, People's Republic of China

The above information was obtained from Singapore national records (long-course metres), Singapore Swimming Association, 6 June 2008, archived from the original on 2 August 2008, retrieved 11 August 2008.

Notes

^ Rohit Brijnath (11 August 2008), "Maybe, just maybe", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B13.
^ ^a ^b ^c Athletes: Profile: TAO Li, 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006, Doha Asian Games Organising Committee, December 2006, archived from the original on 10 December 2006, retrieved 12 August 2008.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Biography: Tao Li, Melbourne 2006, XVIII Commonwealth Games, March 2006, archived from the original on 4 August 2008, retrieved 11 August 2008.
^ ^a ^b ^c Tao Li (6 October 2008), "She aims to make a big splash", The Straits Times (Home), p. B9.
^ ^a ^b Asian Games: Singapore's Tao Li wins women's 50m butterfly gold medal, Channel NewsAsia, 8 December 2006, archived from the original on 9 December 2006, retrieved 8 December 2006.
^ ^a ^b Lim Han Ming (2 December 2005), "'Sacrifices were worth it'", The Electric New Paper, retrieved 7 October 2008.
^ ^a ^b Marc Lim (11 August 2008), "Swimmer's first words to mum: I want a medal", The Straits Times (Sport).
^ ^a ^b ^c Marc Lim (30 January 2009), "All the world's her stage", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B8.
^ ^a ^b ^c Jonathan Wong (23 November 2008), "Leaving friends, family behind", The Sunday Times (Sport), p. 39.
^ ^a ^b Tan Yo-Hinn (14 August 2008), "A million-dollar makeover for Tao Li", Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 54, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.
^ Lin Xinyi (4 June 2008), "Club dispute threatens to derail Tao Li: Swimmer's Olympic hopes in jeopardy after she insists on representing new club", The Straits Times, archived from the original on 10 June 2008; Tan Yo-Hinn (1 August 2008), "Tao Li keyed to peak: Ang's former star pupil has pulled out all the stops to be ready for Beijing", Today (reproduced at the Singapore Sports School website), archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.
^ Jean Malanum (3 December 2005), "Yeo: Still queen of the pool: Set to duplicate 6-gold haul in '03", Manila Bulletin, archived from the original on 7 June 2011 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help).
^ ^a ^b Nicholas Tang (7 March 2006), "Tao Li bags S'pore's 1st gold in Asia meet", The Straits Times; Cubby Leong (7 March 2006), "Great night for Singapore: Tao Li strikes first-ever gold for Republic in Asian meet", Today. For this achievement, and for getting a bronze medal in the 100 metres butterfly, she was awarded S$312,500 under the Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP): Asian Games 2006 MAP Awards, Singapore National Olympic Council, 1 February 2007, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009, retrieved 11 August 2008.
^ Asian Games: Swimmer Tao Li upsets China to win Singapore's second gold medal in Doha, Channel NewsAsia, 8 December 2006, archived from the original on 14 December 2007, retrieved 8 December 2006.
^ ^a ^b Lim Han Ming (11 August 2008), Beijing 08: Record breaker, The Electric New Paper, retrieved 11 August 2008.
^ Chan Yi Shen (31 March 2007), "Tao Li swims in 50m fly final today", The Straits Times, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009; Chan Yi Shen (1 April 2007), "Tao Li finishes seventh, but is still Asia's best", The Sunday Times.
^ ^a ^b ^c Patwant Singh (9 December 2007), SEA Games: 4 gold medals in swimming for Singapore, Channel NewsAsia, archived from the original on 26 May 2008. See also David Ngiau (7 December 2007), "It's Tao Li's time to make waves at the SEA Games", Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.
^ Sportswoman of the Year, Singapore National Olympic Council, 2008, archived from the original on 25 October 2009, retrieved 12 August 2008.
^ ^a ^b Marc Lim (25 June 2008), "Easier done than worn for athletes: Tao Li and stars more at home in sports arena than in ballroom", The Straits Times, archived from the original on 4 August 2008; Young athletes claim top honours at Singapore Sports Award 2008, Singapore National Olympic Council, 28 June 2008, archived from the original on 25 October 2009. See also Sportswoman of the Year: Tao Li (swimming), Singapore National Olympic Council, 2008, archived from the original on 25 October 2009, retrieved 12 August 2008.
^ Jose Raymond (9 June 2007), "Towering Tao Li breaks Li's reign: Teenage swimming sensation named 2006 Sportswoman of the Year, bowler Remy Ong takes Sportsman honour", Weekend Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 36, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.
^ "Tao Li sore over paying for youths", The Straits Times (reproduced at AsiaOne), 30 January 2008, archived from the original on 3 February 2008. See also Wong Meng Meng (4 February 2008), "Tao Li taken to task over comments: They slam her reluctance to donate 6% of her earnings to youth", The Straits Times ^{[dead link]}.
^ ^a ^b Marc Lim (12 August 2008), "I guess I did fantastic: Tao Li's initial disappointment at not winning an Olympic medal is replaced by her trademark grin", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B11. See also Marc Lim (12 August 2008), "No medal, but we're so proud of you, Tao Li", The Straits Times, p. 1.
^ ^a ^b Leonard Thomas (11 August 2008), "Now for the perfect race", Today, p. 28, archived from the original on 25 May 2011 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help).
^ Dominique Loh (10 August 2008), Olympics: Singapore swimmer Tao Li qualifies for 100m butterfly final, Channel NewsAsia.
^ ^a ^b Asian nations come good in Beijing, Agence France-Presse (AFP), 11 August 2008. Tao's first Asian record of 57.77 seconds was broken minutes later by Chinese swimmer Zhou Yafei who qualified for the semifinals with a time of 57.70 seconds: Rohit Brijnath (10 August 2008), "Record-breakers", The Sunday Times, p. 40; Tan Yo-Hinn (14 August 2008), "A million-dollar makeover for Tao Li", Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 54, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009. However, Tao regained the Asian record with her semifinal time of 57.54 seconds: Tan Yo-Hinn (12 August 2008), "No podium finish, no sweat: Tao Li's schoolmates couldn't be prouder of her Olympic feat" (PDF), Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 32.
^ ^a ^b S'pore's Tao Li 'not disappointed' with timing in 100m fly finals, The Straits Times Digital, 11 August 2008, archived from the original on 22 August 2008, retrieved 11 August 2008.
^ Olympics: Singapore swimmer Tao Li 5th in 100m butterfly finals, Channel NewsAsia, 11 August 2008.
^ Leonard Thomas (12 August 2008), "Tao Li, a girl among giants: When the youngest competitor in the Olympic final finishes fifth, there's little reason to complain", Today.
^ ^a ^b Results: Women's 200m Butterfly – Heat 2, Beijing 2008: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, 12 August 2008, retrieved 12 August 2008; Marc Lim (13 August 2008), "Another record for Tao Li", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B10; Low Lin Fhoong (13 August 2008), "Tao Li sets 200m butterfly national record", Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 36, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.
^ Marc Lim (14 August 2008), "Tao Li: Stay or go?", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B10.
^ ^a ^b ^c Lin Xinyi (3 November 2008), "Tao Li adds to her tally", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B14; Tan Yo-Hinn (3 November 2008), "Tao Li's making more waves", Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 29, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.
^ ^a ^b ^c Lin Xinyi (13 November 2008), "Tao Li wins at World Cup again", The Straits Times (Sport), p. C17.
^ ^a ^b Wang Meng Meng (16 November 2008), "Tao Li sets new mark", The Sunday Times (Sport), p. 35.
^ Terrence Voon (5 February 2009), "Take a bow, Tao Li: Swimmer receives inaugural ST Athlete of the Year trophy and lights up event with her singing", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B13.
^ Leonard Thomas (31 December 2008), "The brightest star of all: Table tennis star Li Jiawei is TODAY's Singapore Athlete of the Year 2008", Today, p. 24, archived from the original on 1 January 2009.
^ ^a ^b ^c Leonard Lim (11 December 2009), "She's going to be a star: Ting Wen ready to take over from Joscelin as the queen of swimming", The Straits Times, p. D1–D2.
^ ^a ^b ^c Leonard Lim (14 December 2009), "Seven up for Ting Wen?: With five golds in the bag, Singapore teenager guns for two more today", The Straits Times, p. B10; Tan Yo-Hinn (14 December 2009), "Gladiators: Sweetenham's message propels women's relay quartet to gold No 12", Today, p. 34, archived from the original on 14 December 2009.
^ ^a ^b Leonard Lim (15 December 2009), "The comeback kid: Tao Li delivers gold No. 14 to help Singapore set a new swim benchmark", The Straits Times, p. B11; Tan Yo-Hinn (15 December 2009), "Hail the record-breakers: Singapore swimming eyes a bright future after a stunning SEA Games harvest", Today, p. 47, archived from the original on 15 December 2009.
^ ^a ^b ^c Rohit Brijnath (19 November 2010), "Gold ... finally", The Straits Times, pp. A1 & A4; Leonard Lim (19 November 2010), "Tao Li silences naysayers: Doubts over form and rival's boast spur her to gold and national record", The Straits Times (Sport), p. D2; Tan Yo-Hinn (19 November 2010), "Tao Li roars for Singapore: Swimmer wins country's first 2010 Asian Games gold", Today, p. 2, archived from the original on 19 November 2010; Tan Yo-Hinn (19 November 2010), "A fired-up Tao Li is unstoppable: Singapore swimming star was upset after Jiao's comments over a lack of rivals", Today, p. 50, archived from the original on 19 November 2010.
^ ^a ^b Women's 100m Butterfly Ev. No. 3 Final, Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, 13 November 2010, archived from the original on 19 November 2010, retrieved 19 November 2010.
^ ^a ^b Terrence Voon (29 July 2012), "Better than expected: Confidence-lacking Tao qualifies for 100m fly s-finals with best time in two years", The Sunday Times, Singapore, p. 55; Tan Yo-Hinn (28 July 2012), "Tao Li advances into 100m fly semi-finals", Today on Saturday, archived from the original on 30 July 2012; Tan Yo-Hinn (29 July 2012), "I can do better: Tao Li, after missing final: She fails to qualify for Olympic 100m fly final, but satisfied with her time given recent poor form", Today Online, archived from the original on 30 July 2012; Terrence Voon (30 July 2012), "Still not fast enough: Tao admits she needs to do some soul searching after London", The Straits Times, p. B20; Philip Goh (30 July 2012), "Tao Li sets national record for 100m backstroke", Today, p. 35, archived from the original on 30 July 2012.
^ ^a ^b Congratulations: Record breakers, 25th SEA Games, Laos, Vientiane 2009, 14 December 2009, archived from the original on 15 December 2009, retrieved 15 December 2009.
^ Swimming results: Women's 100 LC meter backstroke finals, 23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005, December 2005, archived from the original on 31 December 2006, retrieved 11 August 2008 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Singapore national records (long-course metres), Singapore Swimming Association, 8 June 2008, archived from the original on 22 August 2008, retrieved 11 August 2008.
^ Lin Xinyi (17 November 2008), "Tao Li bags bronze for seventh medal in World Cup", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B12.
^ "Tao Li wins bronze in 100m fly, relay team disqualified", The Straits Times, 9 March 2006 ^{[dead link]}.
^ Swimming results: Women's 100 LC meter butterfly finals, 23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005, December 2005, archived from the original on 31 December 2006, retrieved 11 August 2008 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Swimming results – finals: Women's 200 LC meter butterfly, 23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005, December 2005, archived from the original on 31 December 2006, retrieved 11 August 2008 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Kenny Teng Khoon Hock (11 December 2007), Two gold, Games record for Malaysia on final day of swimming, BERNAMA: Malaysia National News Agency, retrieved 11 August 2008.
^ David Ngiau (11 December 2007), SEA Games: Singapore's Teo wins gold in women's 200m breaststroke, Channel NewsAsia.
^ Swimming results: Women's 400 LC meter medley relay, 23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005, December 2005, archived from the original on 31 December 2006, retrieved 11 August 2008 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

References

Biography: Tao Li, Melbourne 2006, XVIII Commonwealth Games, March 2006, archived from the original on 4 August 2008, retrieved 11 August 2008.
Athletes: Profile: TAO Li, 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006, Doha Asian Games Organising Committee, December 2006, archived from the original on 10 December 2006, retrieved 12 August 2008.

External links

Template:Persondata

[ST_20080811-1] Rohit Brijnath (11 August 2008), "Maybe, just maybe", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B13.

[Doha_2006-2] Athletes: Profile: TAO Li, 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006, Doha Asian Games Organising Committee, December 2006, archived from the original on 10 December 2006, retrieved 12 August 2008.

[Melbourne_2006-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Biography: Tao Li, Melbourne 2006, XVIII Commonwealth Games, March 2006, archived from the original on 4 August 2008, retrieved 11 August 2008.

[ST_20081006-4] Tao Li (6 October 2008), "She aims to make a big splash", The Straits Times (Home), p. B9.

[CNA_20061208-5] Asian Games: Singapore's Tao Li wins women's 50m butterfly gold medal, Channel NewsAsia, 8 December 2006, archived from the original on 9 December 2006, retrieved 8 December 2006.

[TNP_20051202-6] Lim Han Ming (2 December 2005), "'Sacrifices were worth it'", The Electric New Paper, retrieved 7 October 2008.

[ST:_I_want_a_medal-7] Marc Lim (11 August 2008), "Swimmer's first words to mum: I want a medal", The Straits Times (Sport).

[ST_20090130-8] Marc Lim (30 January 2009), "All the world's her stage", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B8.

[ST_20081123-9] Jonathan Wong (23 November 2008), "Leaving friends, family behind", The Sunday Times (Sport), p. 39.

[Today_20080814-10] Tan Yo-Hinn (14 August 2008), "A million-dollar makeover for Tao Li", Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 54, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.

[11] Lin Xinyi (4 June 2008), "Club dispute threatens to derail Tao Li: Swimmer's Olympic hopes in jeopardy after she insists on representing new club", The Straits Times, archived from the original on 10 June 2008; Tan Yo-Hinn (1 August 2008), "Tao Li keyed to peak: Ang's former star pupil has pulled out all the stops to be ready for Beijing", Today (reproduced at the Singapore Sports School website), archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.

[12] Jean Malanum (3 December 2005), "Yeo: Still queen of the pool: Set to duplicate 6-gold haul in '03", Manila Bulletin, archived from the original on 7 June 2011 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help).

[ST-Today_20060307-13] Nicholas Tang (7 March 2006), "Tao Li bags S'pore's 1st gold in Asia meet", The Straits Times; Cubby Leong (7 March 2006), "Great night for Singapore: Tao Li strikes first-ever gold for Republic in Asian meet", Today. For this achievement, and for getting a bronze medal in the 100 metres butterfly, she was awarded S$312,500 under the Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP): Asian Games 2006 MAP Awards, Singapore National Olympic Council, 1 February 2007, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009, retrieved 11 August 2008.

[CNA-14] Asian Games: Swimmer Tao Li upsets China to win Singapore's second gold medal in Doha, Channel NewsAsia, 8 December 2006, archived from the original on 14 December 2007, retrieved 8 December 2006.

[TNP-15] Lim Han Ming (11 August 2008), Beijing 08: Record breaker, The Electric New Paper, retrieved 11 August 2008.

[16] Chan Yi Shen (31 March 2007), "Tao Li swims in 50m fly final today", The Straits Times, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009; Chan Yi Shen (1 April 2007), "Tao Li finishes seventh, but is still Asia's best", The Sunday Times.

[CNA_20071209-17] Patwant Singh (9 December 2007), SEA Games: 4 gold medals in swimming for Singapore, Channel NewsAsia, archived from the original on 26 May 2008. See also David Ngiau (7 December 2007), "It's Tao Li's time to make waves at the SEA Games", Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.

[18] Sportswoman of the Year, Singapore National Olympic Council, 2008, archived from the original on 25 October 2009, retrieved 12 August 2008.

[Sportswoman-19] Marc Lim (25 June 2008), "Easier done than worn for athletes: Tao Li and stars more at home in sports arena than in ballroom", The Straits Times, archived from the original on 4 August 2008; Young athletes claim top honours at Singapore Sports Award 2008, Singapore National Olympic Council, 28 June 2008, archived from the original on 25 October 2009. See also Sportswoman of the Year: Tao Li (swimming), Singapore National Olympic Council, 2008, archived from the original on 25 October 2009, retrieved 12 August 2008.

[20] Jose Raymond (9 June 2007), "Towering Tao Li breaks Li's reign: Teenage swimming sensation named 2006 Sportswoman of the Year, bowler Remy Ong takes Sportsman honour", Weekend Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 36, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.

[21] "Tao Li sore over paying for youths", The Straits Times (reproduced at AsiaOne), 30 January 2008, archived from the original on 3 February 2008. See also Wong Meng Meng (4 February 2008), "Tao Li taken to task over comments: They slam her reluctance to donate 6% of her earnings to youth", The Straits Times ^{[dead link]}.

[ST_20080812-22] Marc Lim (12 August 2008), "I guess I did fantastic: Tao Li's initial disappointment at not winning an Olympic medal is replaced by her trademark grin", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B11. See also Marc Lim (12 August 2008), "No medal, but we're so proud of you, Tao Li", The Straits Times, p. 1.

[Today-23] Leonard Thomas (11 August 2008), "Now for the perfect race", Today, p. 28, archived from the original on 25 May 2011 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help).

[24] Dominique Loh (10 August 2008), Olympics: Singapore swimmer Tao Li qualifies for 100m butterfly final, Channel NewsAsia.

[100m_national_record-25] Asian nations come good in Beijing, Agence France-Presse (AFP), 11 August 2008. Tao's first Asian record of 57.77 seconds was broken minutes later by Chinese swimmer Zhou Yafei who qualified for the semifinals with a time of 57.70 seconds: Rohit Brijnath (10 August 2008), "Record-breakers", The Sunday Times, p. 40; Tan Yo-Hinn (14 August 2008), "A million-dollar makeover for Tao Li", Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 54, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009. However, Tao regained the Asian record with her semifinal time of 57.54 seconds: Tan Yo-Hinn (12 August 2008), "No podium finish, no sweat: Tao Li's schoolmates couldn't be prouder of her Olympic feat" (PDF), Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 32.

[ST_Digital-26] S'pore's Tao Li 'not disappointed' with timing in 100m fly finals, The Straits Times Digital, 11 August 2008, archived from the original on 22 August 2008, retrieved 11 August 2008.

[27] Olympics: Singapore swimmer Tao Li 5th in 100m butterfly finals, Channel NewsAsia, 11 August 2008.

[28] Leonard Thomas (12 August 2008), "Tao Li, a girl among giants: When the youngest competitor in the Olympic final finishes fifth, there's little reason to complain", Today.

[200m_national_record-29] Results: Women's 200m Butterfly – Heat 2, Beijing 2008: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, 12 August 2008, retrieved 12 August 2008; Marc Lim (13 August 2008), "Another record for Tao Li", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B10; Low Lin Fhoong (13 August 2008), "Tao Li sets 200m butterfly national record", Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 36, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.

[30] Marc Lim (14 August 2008), "Tao Li: Stay or go?", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B10.

[ST-Today_20081103-31] Lin Xinyi (3 November 2008), "Tao Li adds to her tally", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B14; Tan Yo-Hinn (3 November 2008), "Tao Li's making more waves", Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website), p. 29, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2009.

[ST_20081113-32] Lin Xinyi (13 November 2008), "Tao Li wins at World Cup again", The Straits Times (Sport), p. C17.

[ST_20081116-33] Wang Meng Meng (16 November 2008), "Tao Li sets new mark", The Sunday Times (Sport), p. 35.

[34] Terrence Voon (5 February 2009), "Take a bow, Tao Li: Swimmer receives inaugural ST Athlete of the Year trophy and lights up event with her singing", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B13.

[35] Leonard Thomas (31 December 2008), "The brightest star of all: Table tennis star Li Jiawei is TODAY's Singapore Athlete of the Year 2008", Today, p. 24, archived from the original on 1 January 2009.

[ST_20091211-36] Leonard Lim (11 December 2009), "She's going to be a star: Ting Wen ready to take over from Joscelin as the queen of swimming", The Straits Times, p. D1–D2.

[ST_20091214-37] Leonard Lim (14 December 2009), "Seven up for Ting Wen?: With five golds in the bag, Singapore teenager guns for two more today", The Straits Times, p. B10; Tan Yo-Hinn (14 December 2009), "Gladiators: Sweetenham's message propels women's relay quartet to gold No 12", Today, p. 34, archived from the original on 14 December 2009.

[ST_20091215-38] Leonard Lim (15 December 2009), "The comeback kid: Tao Li delivers gold No. 14 to help Singapore set a new swim benchmark", The Straits Times, p. B11; Tan Yo-Hinn (15 December 2009), "Hail the record-breakers: Singapore swimming eyes a bright future after a stunning SEA Games harvest", Today, p. 47, archived from the original on 15 December 2009.

[ST-Today_20101119-39] Rohit Brijnath (19 November 2010), "Gold ... finally", The Straits Times, pp. A1 & A4; Leonard Lim (19 November 2010), "Tao Li silences naysayers: Doubts over form and rival's boast spur her to gold and national record", The Straits Times (Sport), p. D2; Tan Yo-Hinn (19 November 2010), "Tao Li roars for Singapore: Swimmer wins country's first 2010 Asian Games gold", Today, p. 2, archived from the original on 19 November 2010; Tan Yo-Hinn (19 November 2010), "A fired-up Tao Li is unstoppable: Singapore swimming star was upset after Jiao's comments over a lack of rivals", Today, p. 50, archived from the original on 19 November 2010.

[100m_butterfly_2010_Asian_Games-40] Women's 100m Butterfly Ev. No. 3 Final, Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, 13 November 2010, archived from the original on 19 November 2010, retrieved 19 November 2010.

[ST-Today_20120730-41] Terrence Voon (29 July 2012), "Better than expected: Confidence-lacking Tao qualifies for 100m fly s-finals with best time in two years", The Sunday Times, Singapore, p. 55; Tan Yo-Hinn (28 July 2012), "Tao Li advances into 100m fly semi-finals", Today on Saturday, archived from the original on 30 July 2012; Tan Yo-Hinn (29 July 2012), "I can do better: Tao Li, after missing final: She fails to qualify for Olympic 100m fly final, but satisfied with her time given recent poor form", Today Online, archived from the original on 30 July 2012; Terrence Voon (30 July 2012), "Still not fast enough: Tao admits she needs to do some soul searching after London", The Straits Times, p. B20; Philip Goh (30 July 2012), "Tao Li sets national record for 100m backstroke", Today, p. 35, archived from the original on 30 July 2012.

[25th_SEA_Games-42] Congratulations: Record breakers, 25th SEA Games, Laos, Vientiane 2009, 14 December 2009, archived from the original on 15 December 2009, retrieved 15 December 2009.

[43] Swimming results: Women's 100 LC meter backstroke finals, 23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005, December 2005, archived from the original on 31 December 2006, retrieved 11 August 2008 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[44] Singapore national records (long-course metres), Singapore Swimming Association, 8 June 2008, archived from the original on 22 August 2008, retrieved 11 August 2008.

[45] Lin Xinyi (17 November 2008), "Tao Li bags bronze for seventh medal in World Cup", The Straits Times (Sport), p. B12.

[46] "Tao Li wins bronze in 100m fly, relay team disqualified", The Straits Times, 9 March 2006 ^{[dead link]}.

[47] Swimming results: Women's 100 LC meter butterfly finals, 23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005, December 2005, archived from the original on 31 December 2006, retrieved 11 August 2008 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[48] Swimming results – finals: Women's 200 LC meter butterfly, 23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005, December 2005, archived from the original on 31 December 2006, retrieved 11 August 2008 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[49] Kenny Teng Khoon Hock (11 December 2007), Two gold, Games record for Malaysia on final day of swimming, BERNAMA: Malaysia National News Agency, retrieved 11 August 2008.

[50] David Ngiau (11 December 2007), SEA Games: Singapore's Teo wins gold in women's 200m breaststroke, Channel NewsAsia.

[51] Swimming results: Women's 400 LC meter medley relay, 23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005, December 2005, archived from the original on 31 December 2006, retrieved 11 August 2008 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 ==Career as national swimmer==
-Tao has represented Singapore at the [[Southeast Asian Games]] (SEA Games) and [[Asian Games]]. Following her success at the 1st Hong Kong Open Invitational Championships in 2005 at which she won four [[gold medal]]s and was named most outstanding female swimmer,<ref>{{citation|author=Jean Malanum|title=Yeo: Still queen of the pool: Set to duplicate 6-gold haul in '03|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/12/03/SPRT2005120350781.html|newspaper=[[Manila Bulletin]]|date=3 December 2005}} {{dead link|date=May 2009}}.</ref> at the [[2005 Southeast Asian Games|23rd SEA Games]] held in the [[Philippines]] later that year, she won golds for the 100&nbsp;metres [[backstroke]], 200&nbsp;metres [[butterfly stroke|butterfly]], and 4 x 100&nbsp;metres [[medley swimming#Medley relay|medley relay]] with teammates Ho Shu Yong, [[Nicolette Teo]] and [[Joscelin Yeo]].<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/>
+Tao has represented Singapore at the [[Southeast Asian Games]] (SEA Games) and [[Asian Games]]. Following her success at the 1st Hong Kong Open Invitational Championships in 2005 at which she won four [[gold medal]]s and was named most outstanding female swimmer,<ref>{{citation|author=Jean Malanum |title=Yeo: Still queen of the pool: Set to duplicate 6-gold haul in '03 |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/12/03/SPRT2005120350781.html |newspaper=[[Manila Bulletin]] |date=3 December 2005 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110607171907/http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/12/03/SPRT2005120350781.html |archivedate=7 June 2011 }}.</ref> at the [[2005 Southeast Asian Games|23rd SEA Games]] held in the [[Philippines]] later that year, she won golds for the 100&nbsp;metres [[backstroke]], 200&nbsp;metres [[butterfly stroke|butterfly]], and 4 x 100&nbsp;metres [[medley swimming#Medley relay|medley relay]] with teammates Ho Shu Yong, [[Nicolette Teo]] and [[Joscelin Yeo]].<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/>
 In March the following year, she won gold in the 50&nbsp;metres butterfly at the [https://web.archive.org/web/20080804102401/http://www.asiaswimchamps.org Milo Asia Swimming Championships] in Singapore, the Republic's first top award at the competition.<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/><ref name="ST-Today 20060307">{{citation|author=Nicholas Tang|title=Tao Li bags S'pore's 1st gold in Asia meet|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=7 March 2006}}; {{citation|author=Cubby Leong|title=Great night for Singapore: Tao Li strikes first-ever gold for Republic in Asian meet|newspaper=Today|date=7 March 2006}}. For this achievement, and for getting a bronze medal in the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly, she was awarded [[Singapore dollar|S$]]312,500 under the Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP): {{citation|title=Asian Games 2006 MAP Awards|url=http://www.snoc.org.sg/files/asiangame2006_map.pdf|format=PDF|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kn3ZAEpg|archivedate=25 October 2009|publisher=[[Singapore National Olympic Council]]|date=1 February 2007|accessdate=11 August 2008}}.</ref> Between 16 and 21 March 2006 she took part in the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Melbourne]], reaching the finals of the 50&nbsp;metres, 100&nbsp;metres and 200&nbsp;metres butterfly, though she did not gain any medals.<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/> In December the same year, Tao won a gold medal at the 50&nbsp;metres butterfly in [[Doha]]'s [[2006 Asian Games]], beating China's multi-gold medallist [[Yanwei Xu|Xu Yanwei]] and breaking her own national record in the process.<ref name=CNA>{{citation|title=Asian Games: Swimmer Tao Li upsets China to win Singapore's second gold medal in Doha|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/246006_14/1/.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214102629/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/246006_14/1/.html|archivedate=14 December 2007|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=8 December 2006|accessdate=8 December 2006}}.</ref> She also won a [[bronze medal]] at the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly earlier in the tournament, recording a national and Asian mark of 58.96&nbsp;seconds.<ref name=TNP>{{citation|author=Lim Han Ming|title=Beijing 08: Record breaker|url=http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/sports/story/0,4136,172970,00.html|publisher=The Electric New Paper|date=11 August 2008|accessdate=11 August 2008}}.</ref>
@@ Line 90: / Line 90: @@
 ===2008 Summer Olympics===
-Tao made her Olympic début for Singapore at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing, arriving ranked 26th out of 49 butterfly swimmers.<ref name="ST 20080812">{{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=I guess I did fantastic: Tao Li's initial disappointment at not winning an Olympic medal is replaced by her trademark grin|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=12 August 2008|page=B11}}. See also {{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=No medal, but we're so proud of you, Tao Li|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=12 August 2008|page=1}}.</ref> On 9 August, the second day of the [[swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics|swimming competition]], she qualified fourth fastest for the semifinals of the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly after winning her heat with a personal best time of 57.77&nbsp;seconds. The following day she made it to the finals, shaving off 0.23&nbsp;seconds for another personal best time and new Asian record of 57.54&nbsp;seconds. She came fourth behind her role model, Australian swimmer [[Lisbeth Trickett]],<ref name="ST 20080812"/> and the USA's [[Christine Magnuson]] and Australia's [[Jessicah Schipper]].<ref name=Today>{{citation|author=Leonard Thomas|title=Now for the perfect race|url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/270064.asp|newspaper=Today|date=11 August 2008|page=28|format=}} {{dead link|date=July 2010}}.</ref><ref>{{citation|author=Dominique Loh|title=Olympics: Singapore swimmer Tao Li qualifies for 100m butterfly final|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/366419/1/.html|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=10 August 2008}}.</ref> She thus set two Asian records and the national record for the event,<ref name="100m national record">{{citation|title=Asian nations come good in Beijing|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5itnKRB1s0ISc0_Xn3AxGpXGuB75A|publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]] (AFP)|date=11 August 2008}}. Tao's first Asian record of 57.77&nbsp;seconds was broken minutes later by Chinese swimmer [[Zhou Yafei]] who qualified for the semifinals with a time of 57.70&nbsp;seconds: {{citation|author=Rohit Brijnath|title=Record-breakers|newspaper=[[The Straits Times|The Sunday Times]]|date=10 August 2008|page=40}}; {{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn|title=A million-dollar makeover for Tao Li|url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/AMilDlrMakeovr4TaoLi_140808.pdf|format=PDF|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kn31tAN3|archivedate=25 October 2009|newspaper=Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website)|date=14 August 2008|page=54}}. However, Tao regained the Asian record with her semifinal time of 57.54&nbsp;seconds: {{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn|title=No podium finish, no sweat: Tao Li's schoolmates couldn't be prouder of her Olympic feat|url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/IGuessIdidFantastic3_120808.pdf|format=PDF|newspaper=Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website)|date=12 August 2008|page=32}}.</ref> and became the eighth fastest butterfly swimmer in the world and first Singaporean swimmer to enter an Olympic final.<ref name=Today/> On 11 August, she came fifth at the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly finals with a time of 57.99&nbsp;seconds. The top three spots were taken by Trickett (56.73&nbsp;seconds), Magnuson (57.10&nbsp;seconds) and Schipper (57.25&nbsp;seconds).<ref name="ST Digital">{{citation|title=S'pore's Tao Li 'not disappointed' with timing in 100m fly finals|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Beijing-2008/Team%2BSingapore/Story/STIStory_266843.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822135538/http://www.straitstimes.com/Beijing-2008/Team+Singapore/Story/STIStory_266843.html|archivedate=22 August 2008|publisher=[[The Straits Times|The Straits Times Digital]]|date=11 August 2008|accessdate=11 August 2008}}.</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Olympics: Singapore swimmer Tao Li 5th in 100m butterfly finals|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/366665/1/.html|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=11 August 2008}}.</ref> Asked by ''The Straits Times'' about her performance, Tao said, "If I have given another personal best, it would not have gotten me a medal. The top three winners were just too good. I wanted to do my best and I pushed all the way and hoped for the best."<ref name="ST Digital"/> Given Tao's age compared to those of the medallists, there are hopes that she will be able to improve her performance at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London.<ref>{{citation|author=Leonard Thomas|title=Tao Li, a girl among giants: When the youngest competitor in the Olympic final finishes fifth, there's little reason to complain|newspaper=Today|date=12 August 2008}}.</ref>
+Tao made her Olympic début for Singapore at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing, arriving ranked 26th out of 49 butterfly swimmers.<ref name="ST 20080812">{{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=I guess I did fantastic: Tao Li's initial disappointment at not winning an Olympic medal is replaced by her trademark grin|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=12 August 2008|page=B11}}. See also {{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=No medal, but we're so proud of you, Tao Li|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=12 August 2008|page=1}}.</ref> On 9 August, the second day of the [[swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics|swimming competition]], she qualified fourth fastest for the semifinals of the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly after winning her heat with a personal best time of 57.77&nbsp;seconds. The following day she made it to the finals, shaving off 0.23&nbsp;seconds for another personal best time and new Asian record of 57.54&nbsp;seconds. She came fourth behind her role model, Australian swimmer [[Lisbeth Trickett]],<ref name="ST 20080812"/> and the USA's [[Christine Magnuson]] and Australia's [[Jessicah Schipper]].<ref name=Today>{{citation|author=Leonard Thomas |title=Now for the perfect race |url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/270064.asp |newspaper=Today |date=11 August 2008 |page=28 |format= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110525214535/http://www.todayonline.com/articles/270064.asp |archivedate=25 May 2011 }}.</ref><ref>{{citation|author=Dominique Loh|title=Olympics: Singapore swimmer Tao Li qualifies for 100m butterfly final|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/366419/1/.html|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=10 August 2008}}.</ref> She thus set two Asian records and the national record for the event,<ref name="100m national record">{{citation|title=Asian nations come good in Beijing|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5itnKRB1s0ISc0_Xn3AxGpXGuB75A|publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]] (AFP)|date=11 August 2008}}. Tao's first Asian record of 57.77&nbsp;seconds was broken minutes later by Chinese swimmer [[Zhou Yafei]] who qualified for the semifinals with a time of 57.70&nbsp;seconds: {{citation|author=Rohit Brijnath|title=Record-breakers|newspaper=[[The Straits Times|The Sunday Times]]|date=10 August 2008|page=40}}; {{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn|title=A million-dollar makeover for Tao Li|url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/AMilDlrMakeovr4TaoLi_140808.pdf|format=PDF|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kn31tAN3|archivedate=25 October 2009|newspaper=Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website)|date=14 August 2008|page=54}}. However, Tao regained the Asian record with her semifinal time of 57.54&nbsp;seconds: {{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn|title=No podium finish, no sweat: Tao Li's schoolmates couldn't be prouder of her Olympic feat|url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/IGuessIdidFantastic3_120808.pdf|format=PDF|newspaper=Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website)|date=12 August 2008|page=32}}.</ref> and became the eighth fastest butterfly swimmer in the world and first Singaporean swimmer to enter an Olympic final.<ref name=Today/> On 11 August, she came fifth at the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly finals with a time of 57.99&nbsp;seconds. The top three spots were taken by Trickett (56.73&nbsp;seconds), Magnuson (57.10&nbsp;seconds) and Schipper (57.25&nbsp;seconds).<ref name="ST Digital">{{citation|title=S'pore's Tao Li 'not disappointed' with timing in 100m fly finals|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Beijing-2008/Team%2BSingapore/Story/STIStory_266843.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822135538/http://www.straitstimes.com/Beijing-2008/Team+Singapore/Story/STIStory_266843.html|archivedate=22 August 2008|publisher=[[The Straits Times|The Straits Times Digital]]|date=11 August 2008|accessdate=11 August 2008}}.</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Olympics: Singapore swimmer Tao Li 5th in 100m butterfly finals|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/366665/1/.html|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=11 August 2008}}.</ref> Asked by ''The Straits Times'' about her performance, Tao said, "If I have given another personal best, it would not have gotten me a medal. The top three winners were just too good. I wanted to do my best and I pushed all the way and hoped for the best."<ref name="ST Digital"/> Given Tao's age compared to those of the medallists, there are hopes that she will be able to improve her performance at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London.<ref>{{citation|author=Leonard Thomas|title=Tao Li, a girl among giants: When the youngest competitor in the Olympic final finishes fifth, there's little reason to complain|newspaper=Today|date=12 August 2008}}.</ref>
 On 12 August, Tao swam in the second heat of the 200 metres butterfly. She finished fifth (26th in a field of 34) and thus did not proceed to the semi-finals, but her time of 2&nbsp;minutes 12.63&nbsp;seconds was a new national record.<ref name="200m national record">{{citation|title=Results: Women's 200m Butterfly – Heat 2|url=http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWW022902.shtml#SWW022902|publisher=[[2008 Summer Olympics|Beijing 2008: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games]], [[Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games|Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad]]|date=12 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008}}; {{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=Another record for Tao Li|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=13 August 2008|page=B10}}; {{citation|author=Low Lin Fhoong|title=Tao Li sets 200m butterfly national record|url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/AnotherRec4TaoLI_130808.pdf|format=PDF|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kn6burFl|archivedate=25 October 2009|newspaper=Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website)|date=13 August 2008|page=36}}.</ref> Discussions have begun regarding plans for her future development. The [[Singapore Sports Council]]'s high performance chief Wayde Clews has said: "Money will not be a prohibitive factor in providing the support and necessary resources for Tao Li to reach her full potential ... with the 2012 Olympics as the target."<ref name="Today 20080814"/> As Tao needs to gain more high-level competing experience, there is also the issue of whether she should continue training in Singapore or head overseas, particularly to Australia or the US.<ref>{{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=Tao Li: Stay or go?|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=14 August 2008|page=B10}}.</ref>