SINGAPORE, Aug 15 — Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling has been granted a fresh deferment from National Service until after the 2020 Olympics, Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen announced today.
The 21-year-old, who made Singapore history by winning the 100m fly at the Rio Olympics last Saturday, had been granted a deferment in 2014 that was due to end on Aug 31.
In a statement today, Dr Ng said Schooling’s triumph and setting of an Olympic record are “spectacular achievements which have brought national glory to Singapore and filled our entire nation with pride”.
Responding to news of Schooling’s NS deferment, the swimmer’s father Colin Schooling said he was happy with the decision.
The elder Schooling said: “This will be a perfect situation for him to prepare for Tokyo, hopefully it can realise a better harvest of medals in Tokyo. This will definitely help.”
He noted, however, “The key thing I want people to understand and know is that we’re not running away from NS”.
“When you take the human body, especially a swimmer, out of the water for more than eight days, the muscle fibre will deteoriate.
“There’s scientific research that shows for every month you’re out of the water, you will need three months to gain back your anaerobic and aerobic levels. But what you will lose permanently is speed.”
Schooling added: “Of course, I hope deferment can be extended to other swimmers. But not just swimmers or athletes. For musicians or any other gifted talent who can excel in their field.”
On the decision to approve the Olympic champion’s NS deferment, Ng added in the statement: “From 2013 to the 2016 Olympics, Schooling has been exemplary in fulfilling the raison d’etre for his deferment – he trained hard and met all performance milestones on his way to Olympic glory.
“The rest of his achievements are, as they say, now the stuff of Olympic and Singapore legend.”
The Armed Forces Council deliberated on the Schooling family’s request for another extension of his deferment this morning and gave approval for him to be enlisted after the 2020 Games.
Dr Ng said: “Together with all of Singapore, Mindef wishes Schooling continued success in the next Olympic Games.”
The Singapore Swimming Association said it was “heartened” by the decision. The association is “thankful for the continued support by MINDEF, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Singapore National Olympic Council, Sport Singapore and our many partners”, said Oon Jin Teik, secretary-general of the association.
“We believe this is a historic milestone in supporting Joseph as he continues to raise our flag high and do our nation proud.
“This is the beginning of his career and we are confident that with the nation behind him, Joseph can only continue to achieve his dreams and continue to extend Singapore’s reputation as a world-class aquatics nation.”
Meanwhile, Parliament will move a motion at this afternoon’s sitting to congratulate Schooling and formally recognise his achievement. — TODAY
