Across the globe, the cost of training competitive athletes requires an enormous financial investment over many years. In many cases, the ultimate reward is a gold medal at an Olympic Games or other global competition. But in addition to the physical demands of competing at the highest level, athletes are often tasked with navigating a maze of sponsorships and other contractual obligations. Luckily, one of the most lucrative prizes in sports can provide much-needed cash to help alleviate those burdens: The Singapore Prize.
This year’s prize, which is worth USD $110,000, was given to violinists Dmytro Udovychenko, Anna Agafia Egholm and Angela Sin Ying Chan. The prize also includes multiple concert engagements with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The competition was held at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore and judged by a distinguished jury panel headed by Qian Zhou.
The prize is a result of a generous $1 million donation from the late Dr Alan HJ Chan to the University of Singapore. The aim of the prize is to recognise work that embodies the spirit of Singapore and inspires compassion, empathy, voluntarism and activism. This will be done by encouraging reading and appreciation for the country’s diverse cultural heritage, while helping to develop Singapore society and the Singapore identity.
At a star-studded ceremony in Singapore, 2023 winners of the Earthshot Prize were announced at a event that celebrated ‘innovation and impact’. The event was part of a week-long program, dubbed Earthshot Week, that will see global leaders and businesses convene in the city to accelerate their solutions and take action to repair the planet.
In the book category, Marylyn Tan won the Singapore Literature Prize’s first ever female victory in its 28-year history for English poetry. Her debut collection, Gaze Back, was an arcane and unapologetic exploration of taboo subjects from menstruation to sexuality, whose title references Helene Cixous’ essay The Laugh of the Medusa.
The Singapore Prize was presented in partnership with Temasek Trust and GenZero and endorsed by Conservation International. The winner was chosen by a panel of judges that included leading climate scientists, entrepreneurs and investors. The event was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.
At the glitzy ceremony in state-owned Mediacorp, William wore a 10-year-old dark green blazer from Alexander McQueen. Other presenters opted for eco-friendly attire, with Mbatha wearing a bright navy blue dress from McCartney, which is known for its use of sustainable fabrics. The evening also featured performances by bands One Republic and Bastille and an appearance by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is a trustee of the Earthshot Prize board.