NOT only have Singapore's women's table-tennis team brought much joy to all by winning the Olympic silver in Beijing, but they have also inspired local athletes to aim for Olympic glory.

Like Tao Li, for example. The national swimmer, who came in fifth in the 100m butterfly final in Beijing, said yesterday: "I'm definitely aiming for a medal at the 2012 Games.

"Seeing the paddlers doing Singapore so proud, I want to channel my energy and training to aim for glory in London."

Tao, together with many Beijing Olympians, gathered at the Singapore Flyer yesterday to witness paddlers Li Jiawei, Wang Yuegu and Feng Tianwei receive their Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP) reward.

Awarding them a cheque of $750,000 was Singapore National Olympic Council president Teo Chee Hean.

The trio clinched a silver medal in the women's team event, coming in second after losing 0-3 to hosts China.

This was after they had thrilled the nation during their heart-stopping 3-2 semi-final win against a resilient South Korea.

Said Mr Teo, who is also the Minister for Defence: "Singaporeans sat transfixed, watching, cheering and willing the team on. After a long 48-year wait, our women's table-tennis team has delivered Singapore's second medal at the Olympic Games.

"My congratulations to the team in Beijing for a mission accomplished.

"The team had set out to bring home at least a medal, and they almost came home with more than that - with Li Jiawei coming close yet again in the table-tennis individual event, and Tao Li's near-miss in the 100m butterfly final."

Mr Teo also paid tribute to Singapore's Paralympic athletes still in Beijing, in particular medal-winning swimmer Yip Pin Xiu (one gold and one silver) and equestrian rider Laurentia Tan (two bronzes).

"Their participation at the Paralympics is a personal triumph over adversity for each of them," he said.

He also announced that the Tote Board and Singapore Pools will continue sponsoring the MAP until 2011, although the quantum for the Asian and Commonwealth Games will be reduced by 20 per cent.

Additional incentives of $50,000 and $5,000 will be given to medal-winners who break the Games record in the Asian and SEA Games respectively.

Finally, MAP winners will plough back 20 per cent of their monetary awards to their national sports associations for training and development.

Yesterday, the Olympians took a ride on the Singapore Flyer before the award ceremony.

A giggly Tao even tried to get Li's autograph for her schoolmate, drawing much laughter from the table-tennis star.