The book, titled Project 0812: The inside story of Singapore’s journey to Olympic glory, chronicles the country’s journey for an Olympic medal after a 48-year wait.

Singapore Literature Prize-winning author Peh Shing Huei wrote the book, which documents behind-the-scenes stories and insights surrounding Singapore’s quest for Olympic success, after more than 30 interviews with officials, coaches, parents and athletes.

In 2006, nearly 50 years after Singapore's first and only Olympic medal in 1960, a group led by International Olympic Committee member Ng Ser Miang, decided to fund, support and energise Singapore sport's attempt to win an Olympic medal. 

They called their experiment Project 0812 - a push for Singapore to score a medal at either the Beijing 2008 or London 2012. 

In the end, their bold plan worked.

The women's table tennis team won a silver medal at Beijing 2008.

At London, four years later, the women's table tennis claimed the bronze medal, while Feng Tianwei finished third in the singles.

It paved the way for swimmer Joseph Schooling to make history at Rio 2016 and claim Singapore's first-ever Olympic gold medal, winning the men's 100 metres butterfly. 

"The legacy of Project 0812 has raised the bar of Singapore sports," said SNOC President Tan Chuan-Jin.

"This story of astute strategy and execution of ideas and plans accompanied by an unwavering desire to succeed by all stakeholders involved, ought to be shared with those who have an interest in the development of our sporting landscape.”

Author Peh, who also wrote Rings of Stars and Crescent: 70 years of the Olympic movement in Singapore, added: "Sports fans enjoy the drama of victories and defeats.

"But very often, the best stories in sports are the ones away from the tournaments and grandstands.

"Yet such stories seldom see the light.

"This book offers that rare look at the backstory behind one precious Olympic medal - the strategies, the spats and the solutions.

"It's one of the most exciting inside stories I've had the privilege to document."

The documentary film is entitled When the Stars Align and was directed by Brenda Er and Jasmine Teh.

The film documents how Singaporean athletes Tang Pui Wah, Mary Klass and Janet Jesudason inadvertently inspired generations of Singaporeans to pursue their sporting dreams.

"We are honoured and grateful for the opportunity and access to create this film because it feels like we’ve gained three new grandmothers," said Er.

"Learning from Pui Wah, Mary and Janet about life has helped me grow a lot as a person, and I hope that those who learn about their stories will also benefit as much as we did."

President Tan added: "I am delighted that When the Stars Align is a ground-up initiative spurred by the impact of our athletes’ own stories.

"This is evidence of the kind of bearing our Olympians have on the community.

"These stories of our past are important for future generations to remember, as there were many before them who paved the way for them to succeed."