"The London Games will not be like Beijing," said Phua as she contemplated the smallest team to represent Singapore since 1984. 

"It will be of a different scale, and we understand there won't be as many athletes in London due to constraints faced by the organisers.

"I'm praying as many of our athletes as possible will be in London."

Among those qualified so far are Joseph Schooling in swimming, table tennis stars Feng Tianwei and Li Jiawei, and gymnast Lim Heem Wei (pictured).

Another prospect is sailor Victoria Chan who says it will be "50-50" whether she makes it to London or not.

In Beijing 2008, Singapore picked up just one medal; a silver in the women's table tennis which was its first podium finish for 48 years.

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