Mark Chay is the Secretary General of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), a two-time Olympian, and an influential leader in global sport governance. Appointed to the SNOC’s top executive role in April 2025, Chay brings elite sporting experience and strategic leadership to Singapore’s Olympic Movement. He previously served as SNOC Vice-President and chaired its Athletes’ Commission, where he was a strong advocate for athlete representation and development.
Chay’s journey in sport began as one of Singapore’s most celebrated swimmers, representing the nation at the Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth, and Southeast Asian Games. His debut at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where he clocked the year’s fastest Asian time in the 200m freestyle, shaped his belief that sport is as much about opportunity as achievement. This ethos has underpinned Mark Chay’s two-decade career as a coach, administrator, and policymaker.
Internationally, Chay sits on the World Aquatics Bureau and co-chairs the World Aquatics Championships 2025, bringing major events of global scale to Singapore. He also played a key role as co-chair of the Olympic Esports Week’s Local Organising Committee, a groundbreaking event at the intersection of sport and technology.
Mark Chay’s leadership is rooted in resilience and service, qualities that have become even more pronounced as he manages a personal battle with chronic myeloid leukaemia. Even amid treatment, Chay championed initiatives that broaden access to sport, including the Empowering Lives Through Aquatics programme, which teaches water survival skills to children from vulnerable backgrounds.
A former Nominated Member of Parliament, world championship-winning coach, and MBA holder currently pursuing a doctorate in Emerging Technologies, Mark Chay brings a multidimensional perspective to the global sporting conversation. He is committed to fostering athlete-centric systems, cultivating the next generation of sports administrators, and advancing innovation in sport.
