View source for Tao Li

{{short description|Chinese-born Singaporean swimmer}}
{{for|people surnamed Li|Li Tao (disambiguation){{!}}Li Tao}}
{{family name hatnote|Tao ({{zh|c=[[wikt:陶|陶]]|p=Táo}})|lang=Chinese}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox swimmer
|name           = Tao Li
|image          = 
|imagesize      = 240px
|caption        = At a ceremony welcoming Team Singapore home from the [[2008 Summer Olympics]]
|fullname       = 
|nicknames      = 
|nationality    = [[Singapore]]an
|strokes        = [[Backstroke]], [[butterfly stroke]]
|club           = Swimfast Aquatic Club
|collegeteam    = [[Singapore Sports School]]
|birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1990|1|10|df=yes}}
|birth_place    = [[Wuhan]], [[Hubei]], [[People's Republic of China|China]]
|death_date     = 
|death_place    = 
|height         = {{convert|1.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="ST 20080811">{{citation|author=Rohit Brijnath|title=Maybe, just maybe|newspaper=[[The Straits Times]] (Sport)|date=11 August 2008|page=B13}}.</ref>
|weight         = {{convert|58|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (2006)<ref name="Doha 2006"/>
|medaltemplates = 
{{Medal|Sport|[[Swimming (sport)|Women's swimming]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{SGP}}}}
{{MedalCount
|[[Swimming at the Asian Games|Asian Games]]|2|2|2
|[[FINA Swimming World Cup]]|3|0|0
|[[Asian Swimming Championships|Asian Championships]]|0|1|1
|[[Swimming at the Southeast Asian Games|Southeast Asian Games]]|29|1|2
}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Asian Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2006 Asian Games|2006 Doha]]|[[Swimming at the 2006 Asian Games|50 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2010 Asian Games|2010 Guangzhou]]|[[Swimming at the 2010 Asian Games|50 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2010 Asian Games|2010 Guangzhou]]|[[Swimming at the 2010 Asian Games|100 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2006 Asian Games|2006 Doha]]|[[Swimming at the 2006 Asian Games|100 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2014 Asian Games|2014 Incheon]]|[[Swimming at the 2014 Asian Games#Women|50 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2014 Asian Games|2014 Incheon]]|[[Swimming at the 2014 Asian Games#Women|100 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[FINA Swimming World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|2008 Singapore|100 m butterfly<br>(short course)}}
{{Medal|Gold|2008 Stockholm|100 m butterfly<br>(short course)}}
{{Medal|Gold|2008 Berlin|100 m butterfly<br>(short course)}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Asian Swimming Championships|Asian Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2012 Asian Swimming Championships|2012 Dubai]]|50 m butterfly}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2012 Asian Swimming Championships|2012 Dubai]]|50 m backstroke}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Southeast Asian Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2005 Southeast Asian Games|2005 Manila]]|[[Aquatics at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games|100 m backstroke]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2005 Southeast Asian Games|2005 Manila]]|[[Aquatics at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games|200 m backstroke]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2005 Southeast Asian Games|2005 Manila]]|[[Aquatics at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games|200 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2005 Southeast Asian Games|2005 Manila]]|[[Aquatics at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games|4 x 100 m medley relay]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2007 Southeast Asian Games|2007 Nakhon Ratchasima]]|[[Aquatics at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games|100 m backstroke]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2007 Southeast Asian Games|2007 Nakhon Ratchasima]]|[[Aquatics at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games|100 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2007 Southeast Asian Games|2007 Nakhon Ratchasima]]|[[Aquatics at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games|200 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2007 Southeast Asian Games|2007 Nakhon Ratchasima]]|[[Aquatics at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games|4 x 100 m medley relay]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2009 Southeast Asian Games|2009 Vientiane]]|[[Aquatics at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games|100 m backstroke]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2009 Southeast Asian Games|2009 Vientiane]]|[[Aquatics at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games|200 m backstroke]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2009 Southeast Asian Games|2009 Vientiane]]|[[Aquatics at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games|100 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2009 Southeast Asian Games|2009 Vientiane]]|[[Aquatics at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games|200 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2009 Southeast Asian Games|2009 Vientiane]]|[[Aquatics at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games|4 x 100 m medley relay]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2011 Southeast Asian Games|2011 Palembang]]|[[Swimming at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games|100 m backstroke]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2011 Southeast Asian Games|2011 Palembang]]|[[Swimming at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games|50 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2011 Southeast Asian Games|2011 Palembang]]|[[Swimming at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games|100 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2011 Southeast Asian Games|2011 Palembang]]|[[Swimming at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games|200 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2011 Southeast Asian Games|2011 Palembang]]|[[Swimming at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games|4 × 100m freestyle relay]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2011 Southeast Asian Games|2011 Palembang]]|[[Swimming at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games|4 × 200m freestyle relay]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2011 Southeast Asian Games|2011 Palembang]]|[[Swimming at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games|4 x 100 m medley relay]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2013 Southeast Asian Games|2013 Naypyidaw]]|[[Swimming at the 2013 Southeast Asian Games|100 m backstroke]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2013 Southeast Asian Games|2013 Naypyidaw]]|[[Swimming at the 2013 Southeast Asian Games|100 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2013 Southeast Asian Games|2013 Naypyidaw]]|[[Swimming at the 2013 Southeast Asian Games|4 × 200m freestyle relay]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2013 Southeast Asian Games|2013 Naypyidaw]]|[[Swimming at the 2013 Southeast Asian Games|4 x 100 m medley relay]]}}
{{MedalGold  |[[Swimming at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games|2015 Singapore]]|[[Swimming at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games|50 m Backstroke]]}}
{{MedalGold  |[[Swimming at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games|2015 Singapore]]|[[Swimming at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games|100 m Backstroke]]}}
{{MedalGold  |[[Swimming at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games|2015 Singapore]]|[[Swimming at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games|50m Butterfly]]}}
{{MedalGold  |[[Swimming at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games|2015 Singapore]]|[[Swimming at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games|100m Butterfly]]}}
{{MedalGold  |[[Swimming at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games|2015 Singapore]]|[[Swimming at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games|4 x 100 m medley relay]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2007 Southeast Asian Games|2007 Nakhon Ratchasima]]|[[Aquatics at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games|200 m individual medley]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2005 Southeast Asian Games|2005 Manila]]|[[Aquatics at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games|100 m butterfly]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2011 Southeast Asian Games|2011 Palembang]]|[[Swimming at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games|200 m backstroke]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2013 Southeast Asian Games|2013 Naypyidaw]]|[[Swimming at the 2013 Southeast Asian Games|200 m butterfly]]}}
}}
'''Tao Li''' ({{zh|c=陶李|p=Táo Lǐ}}; born 10 January 1990) is a Chinese-born [[Singapore]]an [[swimming (sport)|competitive swimmer]] who specializes in the [[backstroke]] and [[butterfly stroke|butterfly.]]

Tao has represented Singapore at the [[Southeast Asian Games]] (SEA Games), the [[Asian Games|Asian]] Games, World Championship, [[Commonwealth Games]] and [[Olympics]]. She holds several national records and is the only female [[Singapore]] swimmer who qualified for an [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] Final.

At the [[2005 Southeast Asian Games|2005 SEA Games]] in the [[Philippines]], at just 15, she won 4 golds and a bronze. She reached the finals of the women's 50&nbsp;metres, 100&nbsp;metres and 200&nbsp;metres [[butterfly stroke|butterfly]] events at the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Melbourne]] though she did not win any medal. In December 2006, Tao won gold at the 50 metres [[butterfly stroke|butterfly]] in [[Doha]]'s [[2006 Asian Games]], beating China's multi-gold medallist [[Xu Yanwei]] and breaking her own national record in the process. She was Singapore's most medalled athlete at the [[2007 Southeast Asian Games|2007 SEA Games]] in [[Nakhon Ratchasima]] (Korat), Thailand, winning four gold medals. Earlier in the year, she became the first Singaporean female swimmer to reach a [[FINA World Aquatics Championships]] final, finishing seventh in the 50&nbsp;metres butterfly.

Tao made her Olympic début for Singapore at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing. She qualified in the 100 metres finals, ranking fourth in the semifinals with a time of 57.54&nbsp;seconds and setting two Asian records in two days. She thus became the first Singaporean swimmer to qualify in an Olympic final. She emerged fifth at the women's 100&nbsp;metres butterfly finals with a time of 57.99&nbsp;seconds.

==Early life and education==
Tao Li was born on 10 January 1990<ref name="Melbourne 2006">{{citation|title=Biography: Tao Li|url=http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Participants/Participants?ID=107668|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804113251/http://melbourne2006.com.au/Participants/Participants?ID=107668|archive-date=4 August 2008|publisher=[[2006 Commonwealth Games|Melbourne 2006, XVIII Commonwealth Games]]|date=March 2006|access-date=11 August 2008}}.</ref> in [[Wuhan]], [[Hubei]],<ref name="ST 20081006">{{citation|author=Tao Li|title=She aims to make a big splash|newspaper=[[The Straits Times]] (Home)|date=6 October 2008|page=B9}}.</ref> in the People's Republic of China,<ref name="CNA 20061208">{{citation|title=Asian Games: Singapore's Tao Li wins women's 50m butterfly gold medal |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_sports/view/245982/1/.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20061209072320/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_sports/view/245982/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= 9 December 2006 |publisher=[[CNA (TV network)|Channel NewsAsia]] |date=8 December 2006 |access-date=8 December 2006 }}.</ref> the only child of Tao Ran and his wife Li Yan, who were both former provincial swimmers in their youths, and later took on careers as swim coaches.<ref name="TNP 20051202">{{cite news|author=Lim Han Ming|title=Sacrifices were worth it|newspaper=[[The New Paper|The Electric New Paper]]|date=2 December 2005}}</ref> Her early years were spent in [[Wuhan]], the capital of Hubei province. She began swimming at the age of five, and by the time she was ten, had begun competitive swimming. In her first contest she won two [[gold medal]]s and broke two age-group records.<ref name="ST 20081006"/>

In 2002, when Tao was 13, her mother brought her to Singapore, to further her career in swimming.<ref name="ST: I want a medal">{{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=Swimmer's first words to mum: I want a medal|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=11 August 2008}}.</ref> Her father was initially against the idea as she was then training with a provincial swimming team and earning a monthly stipend of [[Renminbi|RMB]] 500. And there was a good chance she might do well enough to join the Chinese national team.<ref name="Doha 2006">{{citation|title=Athletes: Profile: TAO Li|url=http://www.doha-2006.com/gis/SPORTS/CO/IGCOParticipantInfo.aspx?Register=5857036|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210034828/http://www.doha-2006.com/gis/SPORTS/CO/IGCOParticipantInfo.aspx?Register=5857036|archive-date=10 December 2006|publisher=[[2006 Asian Games|15th Asian Games, Doha 2006]], Doha Asian Games Organising Committee|date=December 2006|access-date=12 August 2008}}.</ref><ref name="TNP 20051202" /> However, they decided to do so after she was deemed too short for the Chinese National team. Since her parents were not earning much, they faced much difficulty paying for Tao's swim training. Tao's English was not as good as other students her age, she joined a Primary 5 class in Queenstown Primary School though she was three years older than her classmates. She found things tough-going.<ref name="ST 20081006" /><ref name="ST 20081123">{{citation|title=Leaving friends, family behind|date=23 November 2008|author=Jonathan Wong|newspaper=The Sunday Times (Sport)|page=39}}.</ref> However, she worked hard and took extra language lessons, and now converses fluently in English.<ref name="ST 20081123" />

Tao became a [[Singaporean nationality law|Singapore citizen]] in August 2005.<ref name="Doha 2006" /> In 2008, Tao enrolled at the [[Singapore Sports School]]. She was expected to continue with her education there until she graduates with a diploma in [[sports science]] under an arrangement between the school and the [[Auckland University of Technology]].<ref name="Today 20080814">{{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=A million-dollar makeover for Tao Li |url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/AMilDlrMakeovr4TaoLi_140808.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605060811/http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/AMilDlrMakeovr4TaoLi_140808.pdf |archive-date=5 June 2011 |newspaper=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]] (reproduced on the [[Singapore Sports School]] website) |date=14 August 2008 |page=54 |url-status=dead}}.</ref>

She trained with the Sports School's swim coach, Peter Churchill.<ref name="ST 20090130">{{citation|title=All the world's her stage|date=30 January 2009|author=Marc Lim|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|page=B8}}.</ref> followed by training at the Aquatic Performance Swim Club (under former Olympian [[Ang Peng Siong]]) from 2001.  Apparently a contract dispute in 2006 saw her switching her training to another former Olympian, [[David Lim (swimmer)|David Lim]], at Swimfast Aquatic Club.<ref name="ST: I want a medal" /><ref>{{citation|author=Lin Xinyi |title=Club dispute threatens to derail Tao Li: Swimmer's Olympic hopes in jeopardy after she insists on representing new club |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_244172.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610003909/http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_244172.html |archive-date=10 June 2008 |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=4 June 2008 }}; {{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=Tao Li keyed to peak: Ang's former star pupil has pulled out all the stops to be ready for Beijing |url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE1/Aug2008/TaoLikeyed2peak_010807.pdf|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5kn3DCKBl?url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE1/Aug2008/TaoLikeyed2peak_010807.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2009 |newspaper=Today (reproduced at the Singapore Sports School website) |date=1 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}.</ref>

==Career as national swimmer==
Tao has represented Singapore at the [[Southeast Asian Games]] (SEA Games) and [[Asian Games]]. Following her success at the 1st Hong Kong Open Invitational Championships, she took home four [[gold medal]]s and was named the most outstanding female swimmer,<ref>{{citation|author=Jean Malanum |title=Yeo: Still queen of the pool: Set to duplicate 6-gold haul in '03 |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/12/03/SPRT2005120350781.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071220141851/http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/12/03/SPRT2005120350781.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 December 2007 |newspaper=[[Manila Bulletin]] |date=3 December 2005 }}.</ref> At the [[2005 Southeast Asian Games|23rd SEA Games]] held in the [[Philippines]] later that year, she won gold for the 100&nbsp;metres [[backstroke]], 200&nbsp;metres [[butterfly stroke|butterfly]], and 4 x 100&nbsp;metres [[medley swimming#Medley relay|medley relay]] with teammates Ho Shu Yong, [[Nicolette Teo]] and [[Joscelin Yeo]].<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/>

In March the following year, she won gold in the 50&nbsp;metres butterfly at the [https://web.archive.org/web/20080804102401/http://www.asiaswimchamps.org/ Milo Asia Swimming Championships] in Singapore, the Republic's first top award at the competition.<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/><ref name="ST-Today 20060307">{{citation|author=Nicholas Tang|title=Tao Li bags S'pore's 1st gold in Asia meet|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=7 March 2006}}; {{citation|author=Cubby Leong|title=Great night for Singapore: Tao Li strikes first-ever gold for Republic in Asian meet|newspaper=Today|date=7 March 2006}}. For this achievement, and for getting a bronze medal in the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly, she was awarded [[Singapore dollar|S$]]312,500 under the Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP): {{citation|title=Asian Games 2006 MAP Awards |url=http://www.snoc.org.sg/files/asiangame2006_map.pdf|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5kn3ZAEpg?url=http://www.snoc.org.sg/files/asiangame2006_map.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2009 |publisher=[[Singapore National Olympic Council]] |date=1 February 2007 |access-date=11 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> Between 16 and 21 March 2006 she took part in the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Melbourne]], reaching the finals of the 50&nbsp;metres, 100&nbsp;metres and 200&nbsp;metres butterfly, though she did not gain any medals.<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/> In December the same year, Tao won a gold medal at the 50&nbsp;metres butterfly in [[Doha]]'s [[2006 Asian Games]], beating China's multi-gold medallist [[Xu Yanwei]] and breaking her own national record in the process.<ref name=CNA>{{citation|title=Asian Games: Swimmer Tao Li upsets China to win Singapore's second gold medal in Doha |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/246006_14/1/.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071214102629/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/246006_14/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 December 2007 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |date=8 December 2006 |access-date=8 December 2006 }}.</ref> She won a [[bronze medal]] at the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly earlier in the tournament, recording a national and Asian mark of 58.96&nbsp;seconds.<ref name=TNP>{{citation|author=Lim Han Ming|title=Beijing 08: Record breaker|url=http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/sports/story/0,4136,172970,00.html|publisher=The Electric New Paper|date=11 August 2008|access-date=11 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813142249/http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/sports/story/0,4136,172970,00.html|archive-date=13 August 2008}}.</ref>

Tao became the first Singaporean female swimmer to reach a [[FINA World Aquatics Championships]] Final. The [[2007 World Aquatics Championships]] were held in Melbourne from 17 March to 1 April 2007, and she finished seventh in the [[swimming at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships|50&nbsp;metres butterfly]].<ref>{{citation|author=Chan Yi Shen |title=Tao Li swims in 50m fly final today |url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE1/Apr2007/taoli1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605060030/http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE1/Apr2007/taoli1.pdf |archive-date=5 June 2011 |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=31 March 2007 |url-status=dead}}; {{citation|author=Chan Yi Shen|title=Tao Li finishes seventh, but is still Asia's best|newspaper=[[The Straits Times|The Sunday Times]]|date=1 April 2007}}.</ref> Later that year at the [[2007 Southeast Asian Games|2007 SEA Games]] in [[Nakhon Ratchasima]] (Korat), Thailand, she was Singapore's most medalled athlete at the Games, winning four gold medals in the 100 metres backstroke, 100 and 200&nbsp;metres butterfly, and 4 x 100&nbsp;metres medley relay.<ref name="CNA 20071209">{{citation|author=Patwant Singh |title=SEA Games: 4 gold medals in swimming for Singapore |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/316416_52/1/.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526203327/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/316416_52/1/.html |archive-date=26 May 2008 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |date=9 December 2007 }}. See also {{citation|author=David Ngiau |title=It's Tao Li's time to make waves at the SEA Games |url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Dec2007/ItsTaoListime2MkWavesatSEAG_0712072.pdf|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5kn4bsEPE?url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Dec2007/ItsTaoListime2MkWavesatSEAG_0712072.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2009 |newspaper=Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website) |date=7 December 2007 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> On 28 June 2008, Tao was named Sportswoman of the Year in the Singapore Sports Awards given out by the [[Singapore National Olympic Council]]<ref>{{citation|title=Sportswoman of the Year |url=http://www.snoc.org.sg/sportswoman_of_the_year.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418204702/http://www.snoc.org.sg/sportswoman_of_the_year.php |archive-date=18 April 2009 |publisher=Singapore National Olympic Council |year=2008 |access-date=12 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> each year.<ref name=Sportswoman>{{citation|author=Marc Lim |title=Easier done than worn for athletes: Tao Li and stars more at home in sports arena than in ballroom |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_251356.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804055819/http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_251356.html |archive-date=4 August 2008 |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=25 June 2008 }}; {{citation|title=Young athletes claim top honours at Singapore Sports Award 2008 |url=http://www.snoc.org.sg/news20080628.php |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5kn4q9Cnc?url=http://www.snoc.org.sg/news20080628.php |archive-date=25 October 2009 |publisher=Singapore National Olympic Council |date=28 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}. See also {{citation|title=Sportswoman of the Year: Tao Li (swimming) |url=http://www.snoc.org.sg/picture.php?p=images/snoc_award_2008_05b.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526134258/http://www.snoc.org.sg/picture.php?p=images%2Fsnoc_award_2008_05b.jpg |archive-date=26 May 2011 |publisher=Singapore National Olympic Council |year=2008 |access-date=12 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> She won the award in 2007.<ref name=Sportswoman/><ref>{{citation|author=Jose Raymond |title=Towering Tao Li breaks Li's reign: Teenage swimming sensation named 2006 Sportswoman of the Year, bowler Remy Ong takes Sportsman honour |url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE1/Jun2007/ToweringTaoLibreaksLireign2_090607.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605060234/http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE1/Jun2007/ToweringTaoLibreaksLireign2_090607.pdf |archive-date=5 June 2011 |newspaper=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Weekend Today]] (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website) |date=9 June 2007 |page=36 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> too.

In January 2008, Tao became embroiled in controversy after the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) introduced a 15% levy on the cash awards given to swimmers, with about 6% set aside for youth development. As part of the [[Government of Singapore|government]]'s Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP), she received [[Singapore dollar|S$]]23,750 for winning three individual titles and one team gold at the 2007 SEA Games. She was therefore "taxed" S$3,562.50, with S$1,425 going to youth development. Unhappy with this, Tao said: "If they [the SSA] want to cultivate youth, they should find their own money, not pay using our awards. It's through our hard work that we got the money. So, I don't see the point that we should give the money to the youths." She itereited that it been her school and not the SSA which had borne the expense of her overseas training. The SSA said it was "very disappointed" with her comments, and pointed out that the association had spent "easily in excess of $20,000" in sending her for competitions abroad such as the World Championships, Hong Kong Open and Japan International, and a stint at the [[Australian Institute of Sport]]. SSA Vice-President Oon Jin Gee told the press, "Even with the Sports School funding it, it's our taxpayers' dollars going into her development. It doesn't matter which avenue it comes from, it's still Singapore's support for her."<ref>{{citation|title=Tao Li sore over paying for youths |url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20080130-47436.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203140637/http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20080130-47436.html |archive-date= 3 February 2008 |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=30 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Wong Meng Meng |title=Tao Li taken to task over comments: They slam her reluctance to donate 6% of her earnings to youth |url=http://www.sportingsingapore.com/ttd_bizenterprise/Singlenews.aspx?DirID=53&rec_code=130142 |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=4 February 2008 }}</ref>

[[File:TaoLi-FINASwimmingWorldCup-Singapore-20081101.jpg|thumb|left|Tao powering her way to gold in the finals of the 100&nbsp;metres short-course butterfly event on 1 November 2008 at the FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup, held at the [[Singapore Sports School]].]]

===2008 Summer Olympics===
Tao made her Olympic début for Singapore at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing, arriving ranked 26th out of 49 butterfly swimmers.<ref name="ST 20080812">{{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=I guess I did fantastic: Tao Li's initial disappointment at not winning an Olympic medal is replaced by her trademark grin|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=12 August 2008|page=B11}}. See also {{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=No medal, but we're so proud of you, Tao Li|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=12 August 2008|page=1}}.</ref> On 9 August, the second day of the [[swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics|swimming competition]], she qualified fourth fastest for the semifinals of the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly after winning her heat with a personal best time of 57.77&nbsp;seconds. The following day she made it to the finals, shaving off 0.23&nbsp;seconds for another personal best time and new Asian record of 57.54&nbsp;seconds. She came in fourth behind her role model, Australian swimmer [[Lisbeth Trickett]],<ref name="ST 20080812"/> and the USA's [[Christine Magnuson]] and Australia's [[Jessicah Schipper]].<ref name=Today>{{cite news|author=Leonard Thomas |title=Now for the perfect race |newspaper=Today |date=11 August 2008 |page=28 }}.</ref><ref>{{citation|author=Dominique Loh|title=Olympics: Singapore swimmer Tao Li qualifies for 100m butterfly final|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/366419/1/.html|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=10 August 2008|access-date=11 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522081942/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/366419/1/.html|archive-date=22 May 2011|url-status=live}}.</ref> She thus set two Asian records and the national record for the event,<ref name="100m national record">{{citation |title=Asian nations come good in Beijing |url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5itnKRB1s0ISc0_Xn3AxGpXGuB75A |publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]] (AFP) |date=11 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813235537/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5itnKRB1s0ISc0_Xn3AxGpXGuB75A |archive-date=13 August 2008}}. Tao's first Asian record of 57.77&nbsp;seconds was broken minutes later by Chinese swimmer [[Zhou Yafei]] who qualified for the semifinals with a time of 57.70&nbsp;seconds: {{citation|author=Rohit Brijnath|title=Record-breakers|newspaper=[[The Straits Times|The Sunday Times]]|date=10 August 2008|page=40}}; {{citation |author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=A million-dollar makeover for Tao Li |url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/AMilDlrMakeovr4TaoLi_140808.pdf|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5kn31tAN3?url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/AMilDlrMakeovr4TaoLi_140808.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2009 |newspaper=Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website) |date=14 August 2008 |page=54 |url-status=dead}}. However, Tao regained the Asian record with her semifinal time of 57.54&nbsp;seconds: {{citation |author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=No podium finish, no sweat: Tao Li's schoolmates couldn't be prouder of her Olympic feat |url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/IGuessIdidFantastic3_120808.pdf|newspaper=Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website) |date=12 August 2008 |page=32 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427173257/http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/IGuessIdidFantastic3_120808.pdf |archive-date=27 April 2013}}.</ref> and became the eighth fastest butterfly swimmer in the world and first Singaporean swimmer to qualify for an Olympic Final.<ref name=Today/> On 11 August, she came fifth at the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly finals with a time of 57.99&nbsp;seconds. The top three spots were taken by Trickett (56.73&nbsp;seconds), Magnuson (57.10&nbsp;seconds) and Schipper (57.25&nbsp;seconds).<ref name="ST Digital">{{citation|title=S'pore's Tao Li 'not disappointed' with timing in 100m fly finals |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Beijing-2008/Team%2BSingapore/Story/STIStory_266843.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822135538/http://www.straitstimes.com/Beijing-2008/Team%2BSingapore/Story/STIStory_266843.html |archive-date=22 August 2008 |work=[[The Straits Times|The Straits Times Digital]] |date=11 August 2008 |access-date=11 August 2008 |url-status=dead }}.</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Olympics: Singapore swimmer Tao Li 5th in 100m butterfly finals|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/366665/1/.html|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=11 August 2008|access-date=11 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828031322/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/366665/1/.html|archive-date=28 August 2008|url-status=live}}.</ref> Asked by ''The Straits Times'' about her performance, Tao said, "If I have given another personal best, it would not have gotten me a medal. The top three winners were just too good. I wanted to do my best and I pushed all the way and hoped for the best."<ref name="ST Digital"/> Given Tao's age compared to those of the medallists, there were hopes that she would be able to improve on her performance at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London.<ref>{{citation|author=Leonard Thomas|title=Tao Li, a girl among giants: When the youngest competitor in the Olympic final finishes fifth, there's little reason to complain|newspaper=Today|date=12 August 2008}}.</ref>

On 12 August, Tao swam in the second heat of the 200 metres butterfly. She finished fifth (26th in a field of 34) and thus did not proceed to the semi-finals, but her time of 2&nbsp;minutes 12.63&nbsp;seconds was a new national record.<ref name="200m national record">{{citation |title=Results: Women's 200m Butterfly – Heat 2 |url=http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWW022902.shtml#SWW022902 |publisher=[[2008 Summer Olympics|Beijing 2008: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games]], [[Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games|Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad]] |date=12 August 2008 |access-date=12 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815073856/http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWW022902.shtml#SWW022902 |archive-date=15 August 2008}}; {{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=Another record for Tao Li|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=13 August 2008|page=B10}}; {{citation |author=Low Lin Fhoong |title=Tao Li sets 200m butterfly national record |url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/AnotherRec4TaoLI_130808.pdf|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5kn6burFl?url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE2/Aug2008/AnotherRec4TaoLI_130808.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2009 |newspaper=Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website) |date=13 August 2008 |page=36 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> Discussions have begun regarding plans for her future development. The [[Singapore Sports Council]]'s high performance chief Wayde Clews has said: "Money will not be a prohibitive factor in providing the support and necessary resources for Tao Li to reach her full potential ... with the 2012 Olympics as the target."<ref name="Today 20080814"/> As Tao needs to gain more high-level competing experience, there is also the issue of whether she should continue training in Singapore or head overseas, particularly to Australia or the US.<ref>{{citation|author=Marc Lim|title=Tao Li: Stay or go?|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=14 August 2008|page=B10}}.</ref>

===Events between 2008 and 2012===
On 1 November 2008 at the [[FINA Swimming World Cup|FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup]] in Singapore, Tao achieved gold in the 100&nbsp;metres short-course (25&nbsp;metres) butterfly, and the following evening a bronze in the 50&nbsp;metres butterfly in a personal-best time of 25.93&nbsp;seconds.<ref name="ST-Today 20081103">{{citation|author=Lin Xinyi|title=Tao Li adds to her tally|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=3 November 2008|page=B14}}; {{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=Tao Li's making more waves |url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE1/Nov2008/TaoLisMkgMoreWaves_031108_.pdf|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5kn6j0Heo?url=http://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/Uploads/News%20And%20Events/NAE1/Nov2008/TaoLisMkgMoreWaves_031108_.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2009 |newspaper=Today (reproduced on the Singapore Sports School website) |date=3 November 2008 |page=29 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> She repeated her feat in the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly at the Stockholm leg of the competition on 11 November,<ref name="ST 20081113">{{citation|author=Lin Xinyi|title=Tao Li wins at World Cup again|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=13 November 2008|page=C17}}.</ref> and in Berlin on 15 November when she set a competition record with a time of 56.28&nbsp;seconds.<ref name="ST 20081116">{{citation|author=Wang Meng Meng|title=Tao Li sets new mark|newspaper=The Sunday Times (Sport)|date=16 November 2008|page=35}}.</ref> Tao was named the inaugural ''[[The Straits Times]]'' Athlete of the Year 2008,<ref name="ST 20090130"/><ref>{{citation|author=Terrence Voon|title=Take a bow, Tao Li: Swimmer receives inaugural ST Athlete of the Year trophy and lights up event with her singing|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=5 February 2009|page=B13}}.</ref> and came second in ''[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]]'' newspaper's 2008 list of athletes of the year.<ref>{{citation|author=Leonard Thomas |title=The brightest star of all: Table tennis star Li Jiawei is TODAY's Singapore Athlete of the Year 2008 |url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/295016.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425132833/http://www.todayonline.com/articles/295016.asp |archive-date=25 April 2009 |newspaper=Today |date=31 December 2008 |page=24 |url-status=dead}}.</ref>

Tao participated in the [[2009 Southeast Asian Games|25th Southeast Asian Games]] in [[Vientiane]], [[Laos]]. On 10 December 2009, she took the gold in the [[aquatics at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games|200&nbsp;metres backstroke]] in a time of 2 minutes 17.12 seconds.<ref name="ST 20091211">{{citation|author=Leonard Lim|title=She's going to be a star: Ting Wen ready to take over from Joscelin as the queen of swimming|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=11 December 2009|page=D1–D2}}.</ref> Three days later, she was part of the winning 4 x 100&nbsp;metres medley relay team with Roanne Ho, Shana Lim and Quah Ting Wen,<ref name="ST 20091214">{{citation|author=Leonard Lim|title=Seven up for Ting Wen?: With five golds in the bag, Singapore teenager guns for two more today|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=14 December 2009|page=B10}}; {{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=Gladiators: Sweetenham's message propels women's relay quartet to gold No 12 |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC091214-0000088/Gladiators |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5m1LpYv2i?url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC091214-0000088/Gladiators |archive-date=14 December 2009 |newspaper=Today |date=14 December 2009 |page=34 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> and on 14 December she broke her own 2005 Games record in the 200&nbsp;metres butterfly in a time of 2&nbsp;minutes 13.49&nbsp;seconds. As she chalked up five wins, including the 100&nbsp;metres backstroke and butterfly events, these were her most successful Games to date.<ref name="ST 20091215">{{citation|author=Leonard Lim|title=The comeback kid: Tao Li delivers gold No. 14 to help Singapore set a new swim benchmark|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=15 December 2009|page=B11}}; {{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=Hail the record-breakers: Singapore swimming eyes a bright future after a stunning SEA Games harvest |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC091215-0000104/Hail-the-record-breakers |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5m1yC764I?url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC091215-0000104/Hail-the-record-breakers |archive-date=15 December 2009 |newspaper=Today |date=15 December 2009 |page=47 |url-status=dead}}.</ref>

On 18 November 2010, Tao won [[Singapore at the 2010 Asian Games|Singapore]]'s first gold medal at the [[2010 Asian Games]] in [[Guangzhou]], China, in the 50&nbsp;metres butterfly. Her time of 26.10&nbsp;seconds was a personal best as well as a national record.<ref name="ST-Today 20101119">{{citation|author=Rohit Brijnath|title=Gold ... finally|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=19 November 2010|pages=A1 & A4}}; {{citation|author=Leonard Lim|title=Tao Li silences naysayers: Doubts over form and rival's boast spur her to gold and national record|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=19 November 2010|page=D2}}; {{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=Tao Li roars for Singapore: Swimmer wins country's first 2010 Asian Games gold |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC101119-0000124/Tao-Li-roars-for-Singapore |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5uMdsQxZF?url=http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC101119-0000124/Tao-Li-roars-for-Singapore |archive-date=19 November 2010 |newspaper=Today |date=19 November 2010 |page=2 |url-status=dead}}; {{citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=A fired-up Tao Li is unstoppable: Singapore swimming star was upset after Jiao's comments over a lack of rivals |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC101119-0000131/A-fired-up-Tao-Li-is-unstoppable |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5uMe5eLic?url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC101119-0000131/A-fired-up-Tao-Li-is-unstoppable |archive-date=19 November 2010 |newspaper=Today |date=19 November 2010 |page=50 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> She had achieved silver in the 100&nbsp;metres butterfly on 13 November.<ref name="100m butterfly 2010 Asian Games">{{citation|title=Women's 100m Butterfly Ev. No. 3 Final |url=http://www.gz2010.cn/info/ENG_ENG/SW/SWR173A_SWW02102130000001ENG.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116003900/http://www.gz2010.cn/info/ENG_ENG/SW/SWR173A_SWW02102130000001ENG.html |archive-date=16 November 2010 |publisher=Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee |date=13 November 2010 |access-date=19 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}.</ref>

===2012 Summer Olympics===
Tao competed for Singapore at the [[swimming at the 2012 Summer Olympics|2012 Summer Olympics]] in London. In the women's 100&nbsp;metres butterfly she reached the semifinals held on 28 July, but with a time of 58.18&nbsp;seconds did not do well enough to join the eight swimmers who advanced to the finals with times below 58&nbsp;seconds. The next day, in the women's 100&nbsp;metres backstroke, she bettered her national record with a time of 1&nbsp;minute 1.6&nbsp;seconds but did not advance beyond the heats, ranking 26th out of 45 swimmers.<ref name="ST-Today 20120730">{{citation|author=Terrence Voon|title=Better than expected: Confidence-lacking Tao qualifies for 100m fly s-finals with best time in two years|newspaper=The Sunday Times|location=Singapore|date=29 July 2012|page=55}}; {{citation |author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=Tao Li advances into 100m fly semi-finals |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC120728-0000034/Tao-Li-advances-into-100m-fly-semi-finals |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/69Xvz1jdp?url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC120728-0000034/Tao-Li-advances-into-100m-fly-semi-finals |archive-date=30 July 2012 |newspaper=Today on Saturday |date=28 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}; {{citation |author=Tan Yo-Hinn |title=I can do better: Tao Li, after missing final: She fails to qualify for Olympic 100m fly final, but satisfied with her time given recent poor form |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC120729-0000013/I-can-do-better--Tao-Li,-after-missing-final |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/69Xvb8OH3?url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC120729-0000013/I-can-do-better--Tao-Li,-after-missing-final |archive-date=30 July 2012 |newspaper=Today Online |date=29 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}; {{citation|author=Terrence Voon|title=Still not fast enough: Tao admits she needs to do some soul searching after London|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=30 July 2012|page=B20}}; {{citation |author=Philip Goh |title=Tao Li sets national record for 100m backstroke |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC120730-0000050/Tao-Li-sets-national-record-for-100m-backstroke |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/69XvES4sc?url=http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC120730-0000050/Tao-Li-sets-national-record-for-100m-backstroke |archive-date=30 July 2012 |newspaper=Today |date=30 July 2012 |page=35 |url-status=dead}}.</ref>

==Medals==
<!--Please arrange in ascending order of times (i.e., fastest times first).-->

{|class=wikitable width=100%
|- valign=top
!width=20%|Time<br>([[minute|min]] : [[second|s]])
!width=10%|Medal
!width=35%|Date
!width=35%|Competition
|-
|colspan=4 bgcolor=silver|'''100 m backstroke'''
|- valign=top
|align=center|1:02.96<ref name="25th SEA Games">{{citation|title=Congratulations: Record breakers |url=http://www.laoseagames2009.com/v1/recordxbreakersxswimming.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215030417/http://www.laoseagames2009.com/v1/recordxbreakersxswimming.aspx |archive-date=15 December 2009 |publisher=[[2009 Southeast Asian Games|25th SEA Games, Laos, Vientiane 2009]] |date=14 December 2009 |access-date=15 December 2009 |url-status=dead}}.</ref><br>(Games record)
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|12 December 2009
|[[Aquatics at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games|25th Southeast Asian Games]]<br>[[Vientiane]], [[Laos]]
|- valign=top
|align=center|1:03.83<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/><ref>{{citation|title=Swimming results: Women's 100 LC meter backstroke finals |url=http://results.2005seagames.com.ph/swimming/100+womenbackstroke+Finals.asp |publisher=[[2005 Southeast Asian Games|23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005]] |date=December 2005 |access-date=11 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223235000/http://results.2005seagames.com.ph/swimming/100+womenbackstroke+Finals.asp |archive-date=23 February 2013 }}</ref>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|1 December 2005
|[[Aquatics at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games|23rd Southeast Asian Games]]<br>[[Los Baños, Laguna|Los Baños]], [[Laguna (province)|Laguna]], [[Philippines]]
|- valign=top
|align=center|1:04.05<ref name="CNA 20071209"/>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|9 December 2007
|[[Aquatics at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games|24th Southeast Asian Games]]<br>[[Nakhon Ratchasima]] (Korat), [[Thailand]]
|-
|colspan=4 bgcolor=silver|'''200 m backstroke'''
|- valign top
|align=center|2:17:12<ref name="ST 20091211"/>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|10 December 2009
|25th Southeast Asian Games<br>Vientiane, Laos
|-
|colspan=4 bgcolor=silver|'''50 m butterfly'''
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:26.10<ref name="ST-Today 20101119"/><br>(personal best,<br>national record)
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|18 November 2010
|[[Swimming at the 2010 Asian Games|2010 Asian Games]]<br>[[Guangzhou]], [[China]]
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:26.73<ref>{{citation|title=Singapore national records (long-course metres)|url=http://www.swimming.org.sg/swmrecords_WomenOpen.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822122717/http://www.swimming.org.sg/swmrecords_WomenOpen.html|archive-date=22 August 2008|publisher=Singapore Swimming Association|date=8 June 2008|access-date=11 August 2008}}.</ref>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|7 December 2006
|[[Swimming at the 2006 Asian Games|2006 Asian Games]]<br>[[Doha]], [[Qatar]]
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:26.92<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/><ref name="ST-Today 20060307"/>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|6 March 2006
|Milo Asia Swimming Championships<br>[[Singapore]]
|-
|colspan=4 bgcolor=silver|'''50 m butterfly (short course – 25&nbsp;m)'''
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:25.70<ref>{{citation|author=Lin Xinyi|title=Tao Li bags bronze for seventh medal in World Cup|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=17 November 2008|page=B12}}.</ref>
|align=center bgcolor=#CD7F32|[[Bronze medal|Bronze]]
|align=center|16 November 2008
|[[FINA Swimming World Cup|FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup]]<br>[[Berlin]], [[Germany]]
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:25.93<ref name="ST-Today 20081103"/><br>(personal best)
|align=center bgcolor=#CD7F32|[[Bronze medal|Bronze]]
|align=center|2 November 2008
|FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup<br>Singapore
|-
|colspan=4 bgcolor=silver|'''100 m butterfly'''
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:58.24<ref name="100m butterfly 2010 Asian Games"/>
|align=center bgcolor=silver|[[Silver medal|Silver]]
|align=center|13 November 2010
|2010 Asian Games<br>Guangzhou, China
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:58.96<ref name=TNP/>
|align=center bgcolor=#CD7F32|[[Bronze medal|Bronze]]
|align=center|2 December 2006
|2006 Asian Games<br>Doha, Qatar
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:59.24<ref name="25th SEA Games"/><br>(Games record)
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|12 December 2009
|25th Southeast Asian Games<br>Vientiane, Laos
|- valign=top
|align=center|1:00.33<ref name="CNA 20071209"/>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|9 December 2007
|24th Southeast Asian Games<br>Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand
|- valign=top
|align=center|1:01.10<ref>{{cite news|title=Tao Li wins bronze in 100m fly, relay team disqualified|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=9 March 2006}}</ref>
|align=center bgcolor=#CD7F32|[[Bronze medal|Bronze]]
|align=center|8 March 2006
|Milo Asia Swimming Championships<br>Singapore
|- valign=top
|align=center|1:01.53<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/><ref>{{citation|title=Swimming results: Women's 100 LC meter butterfly finals |url=http://results.2005seagames.com.ph/swimming/100+womenbuterfly+Finals.asp |publisher=23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005 |date=December 2005 |access-date=11 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223215931/http://results.2005seagames.com.ph/swimming/100+womenbuterfly+Finals.asp |archive-date=23 February 2013 }}</ref>
|align=center bgcolor=#CD7F32|[[Bronze medal|Bronze]]
|align=center|1 December 2005
|23rd Southeast Asian Games<br>Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
|-
|colspan=4 bgcolor=silver|'''100 m butterfly (short course – 25&nbsp;m)'''
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:56.28<ref name="ST 20081116"/><br>(competition record)
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|15 November 2008
|FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup<br>Berlin, Germany
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:56.85<ref name="ST-Today 20081103"/>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|1 November 2008
|FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup<br>Singapore
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:56.87<ref name="ST 20081113"/>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|11 November 2008
|FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup<br>[[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]]
|- valign=top
|align=center|0:58.50<ref name="ST 20081113"/>
|align=center bgcolor=silver|[[Silver medal|Silver]]
|align=center|10 November 2008
|FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup<br>[[Moscow]], [[Russia]]
|-
|colspan=4 bgcolor=silver|'''200 m butterfly'''
|- valign=top
|align=center|2:13.49<ref name="ST 20091215"/><br>(Games record)
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|14 December 2005
|25th Southeast Asian Games<br>Vientiane, Laos
|- valign=top
|align=center|2:14.11<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/><ref>{{citation|title=Swimming results – finals: Women's 200 LC meter butterfly |url=http://results.2005seagames.com.ph/swimming/dec3+200women+but+FINAL.asp |publisher=23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005 |date=December 2005 |access-date=11 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130226020028/http://results.2005seagames.com.ph/swimming/dec3+200women+but+FINAL.asp |archive-date=26 February 2013 }}</ref>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|3 December 2005
|23rd Southeast Asian Games<br>Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
|- valign=top
|align=center|2:15.63<ref>{{citation|author=Kenny Teng Khoon Hock|title=Two gold, Games record for Malaysia on final day of swimming|url=http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_sports.php?id=301934|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721213745/http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_sports.php?id=301934|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 July 2012|publisher=[[Bernama|BERNAMA: Malaysia National News Agency]]|date=11 December 2007|access-date=11 August 2008}}.</ref>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|11 December 2007
|24th Southeast Asian Games<br>Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand
|-
|colspan=4 bgcolor=silver|'''4 × 100 m medley relay'''
|- valign=top
|align=center|4:10.38<ref name="ST 20091214"/><br>(Games record)
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|13 December 2009
|25th Southeast Asian Games<br>Vientiane, Laos
|- valign=top
|align=center|4:13.18<ref>{{citation|author=David Ngiau|title=SEA Games: Singapore's Teo wins gold in women's 200m breaststroke|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/316712_52/1/.html|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=11 December 2007|access-date=11 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528090451/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/316712_52/1/.html|archive-date=28 May 2008|url-status=live}}.</ref>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|11 December 2007
|24th Southeast Asian Games<br>Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand
|- valign=top
|align=center|4:14.49<ref name="Melbourne 2006"/><ref>{{citation|title=Swimming results: Women's 400 LC meter medley relay |url=http://results.2005seagames.com.ph/swimming/dec2+400women+medley+F.asp |publisher=23rd SEA Games, Philippines 2005 |date=December 2005 |access-date=11 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223222432/http://results.2005seagames.com.ph/swimming/dec2+400women+medley+F.asp |archive-date=23 February 2013 }}</ref>
|align=center bgcolor=gold|[[Gold medal|Gold]]
|align=center|2 December 2005
|23rd Southeast Asian Games<br>Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
|}

==National records==
As of 30 July 2012, Tao was the holder of the following [[List of Singaporean records in swimming|Singapore records]]:

===Open===
{|class=wikitable width=100%
|-
!width=20%|Event
!width=20%|Time ([[minute|min]] : [[second|s]])
!width=20%|Date
!width=40%|Competition
|- valign=top
|align=center|'''100 m backstroke'''
|align=center|1:01.60<ref name="ST-Today 20120730"/>
|align=center|29 July 2012
|[[Swimming at the 2012 Summer Olympics|30th Summer Olympics]]<br>London, United Kingdom
|- valign=top
|align=center|'''200 m backstroke'''
|align=center|2:17.12<ref name="ST 20091211"/>
|align=center|10 December 2009
|25th Southeast Asian Games<br>Vientiane, Laos
|- valign=top
|align=center|'''50 m butterfly'''
|align=center|0:26.10<ref name="ST-Today 20101119"/>
|align=center|18 November 2010
|[[Swimming at the 2010 Asian Games|16th Asian Games]]<br>[[Guangzhou]], [[China]]
|- valign=top
|align=center|'''100 m butterfly'''
|align=center|0:57.54<ref name="100m national record"/>
|align=center|10 August 2008
|[[Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics|29th Summer Olympics]]<br>Beijing, People's Republic of China
|}

<small>Some of the above information was obtained from {{citation|title=Singapore national records (long-course metres)|url=https://www.swimming.org.sg/SSA/SWIMMING/Records/National-Women-s-Open-Records-(LCM).aspx|publisher=Singapore Swimming Association|date=1 July 2021|access-date=1 July 2021}}.</small>

===Under 17 years of age===
{|class=wikitable width=100%
|-
!width=20%|Event
!width=20%|Time ([[minute|min]] : [[second|s]])
!width=20%|Date
!width=40%|Competition
|- valign=top
|align=center|'''200 m backstroke'''
|align=center|2:17.55
|align=center|29 November 2005
|[[Aquatics at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games|23rd Southeast Asian Games]]<br>[[Los Baños, Laguna]], [[Philippines]]
|- valign=top
|align=center|'''50 m butterfly'''
|align=center|0:26.73
|align=center|7 December 2006
|15th Asian Games<br>Doha, Qatar
|- valign=top
|align=center|'''100 m butterfly'''
|align=center|0:58.96
|align=center|2 December 2006
|15th Asian Games<br>Doha, Qatar
|}

<small>The above information was obtained from {{citation|title=Singapore national records (long-course metres)|url=https://www.swimming.org.sg/SSA/SWIMMING/Records/National-Girl-s-U17-Records-(LCM).aspx|publisher=Singapore Swimming Association|date=1 July 2021|access-date=1 July 2021}}.</small>

==See also==
*[[Singapore at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
*[[Singapore at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
*[[Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
*[[Swimming at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
*{{citation|title=Biography: Tao Li|url=http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Participants/Participants?ID=107668|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804113251/http://melbourne2006.com.au/Participants/Participants?ID=107668|archive-date=4 August 2008|publisher=[[2006 Commonwealth Games|Melbourne 2006, XVIII Commonwealth Games]]|date=March 2006|access-date=11 August 2008}}.
*{{citation|title=Athletes: Profile: TAO Li|url=http://www.doha-2006.com/gis/SPORTS/CO/IGCOParticipantInfo.aspx?Register=5857036|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210034828/http://www.doha-2006.com/gis/SPORTS/CO/IGCOParticipantInfo.aspx?Register=5857036|archive-date=10 December 2006|publisher=[[2006 Asian Games|15th Asian Games, Doha 2006]], Doha Asian Games Organising Committee|date=December 2006|access-date=12 August 2008}}.

==Further reading==
*{{citation|last=Fang |first=Nicholas |title=No grunts, only giggles: Getting to know this young athlete – away from the swimming pool |url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/279492.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007012136/http://www.todayonline.com/articles/279492.asp |archive-date=7 October 2008 |newspaper=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Weekend Today]] |date=4 October 2008 |pages=8, 10 |url-status=dead}}.
*{{citation|last=Brijnath|first=Rohit|title=A woman of learning: Young swimmer Tao Li's education to be a star continues after Beijing|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=25 October 2008|page=C32}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Tao Li}}
*[http://www.snoc.org.sg Official website of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC)]
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20080816010007/http://www.snoc.org.sg/p_tao_li.php Tao Li at the SNOC website]
*[http://www.swimming.org.sg Official website of the Singapore Swimming Association]
*[http://www.teamsingapore.com.sg Official website of Team Singapore, managed by the Singapore Sports Council]
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20080821042829/http://www.teamsingapore.com.sg/publish/teamsingapore/en/games/Olympics/Beijing2008/beijing_2008/our_athletes.detail.html?athleteID=1622 Tao Li at the Team Singapore website]

{{Footer Asian Games Champions 50m Butterfly Women}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tao, Li}}
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