With the amount of post-Rio attention 100m butterfly gold medalist Joseph Schooling is receiving from his nation of Singapore, some may think the 21-year-old would be hard-pressed to say anything negative about support stemming from the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA).
Along with receiving the biggest Olympic bonus in the world – $753,000 – since returning from the 2016 Olympic Games, Schooling has also been treated to an extravagant parade, which included meeting the nation’s Prime Minister. The University of Texas student was also honored with ‘National Day Recognition’, awarded an honorary membership of Singapore Island Country Club, given free flights for life by AirAsia, and honored with a special commuter train exhibit.
However, talking to local media this week while participating in SSA’s inaugural golf and dinner fundraiser, Schooling wasn’t afraid to speak out about improvements the swimmer sees as essential in order for the sport to move forward in his home nation.
“When I race, what’s on my chest? It’s not my name, it’s the Singapore flag. Do you think it’s fair my parents pay all this money and suffer for me to represent my country? That’s their decision to support me, there should be better support if a person is serious and competitive enough to change their lifestyle drastically to try to bring glory and honour to our country.” (MalayMail)
Schooling’s parents reportedly paid out an estimated $1 million to fund Schooling’s training and studies in the U.S. A point to which Schooling says, “Absolutely not (enough financial support). Which parent should have to pay over US$1 million out of their own pocket to help their kid succeed?
“MAP (Multi-million dollar Awards Programme) is really nice if you hit the target, but without support and funding how do you hit those goals?”
With an individual gold medal, Schooling is now to whom the nation of Singapore is looking to help raise the profile of swimming and attract funding to carry on his legacy and build future champions. Even with just the golf outing at the Tanah Merah Country Club with President Tony Tan in attendance, Schooling helped raise over $350,000. The funds will be distributed to initiatives supporting athletes’ post-competitive career, local swimming clubs and the sport’s infrastructure. (MalayMail)
Backing up his own $140,000 mandatory donation, Schooling says that national sports associations must do more for youth development. Sports science and athlete support must be stepped up says Schooling, as he cites his own work with Singapore Sports Institute’s nutritionist and biomechanic experts as critical components of his successful Olympic puzzle.
Says Schooling, “There’s been a huge increase in support for sports for the last few years, but if you compare to other countries, we’re still relatively far behind.” He added, however, “That’s understandable considering our sporting background and history. I don’t think we’ve thought of those things to that detail and those things will take us to the next level.”
Individually, Schooling has the NCAA Championships, FINA Long Course World Championships and the SEA Games on his immediate horizon for 2017. He told the press he is most looking forward to racing rival Chad Le Clos of South Africa, one of three elite swimmers who historically tied for silver behind Schooling. Le Clo touched simultaneously with America’s Michael Phelps and Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh in the event at this summer’s Olympics.
Le Clos, the men’s 200m butterfly Olympic champion back in 2012, is known for speaking his mind when it comes to rivals. Schooling relishes that type of personality within the competitive field, however.
“I love having Chad as a rival because he’s not afraid to say what’s on his mind. I hate people playing the politically right game, if you want to beat me say you’re gonna beat me.
“I love that fire, and that’s what every sport needs — that competitive rivalry and trash talking is great and that’s why Conor McGregor is my favourite fighter. He doesn’t care what anyone says, he just goes out there and beats the crap out of people,” Schooling says.
To ensure that Schooling is indeed not one of those people, he is getting his training back in gear, including adding rowing to his dryland repertoire.
Schooling says, “It’s crunch time, holiday’s over and I’ve got to get back to the pool. I’m ready motivated and fired up to start making progress.”
I love this guys attitude to competition. “If you want to to beat me, say you’re gonna beat me”. You are the new King Joe.
I’m sorry I don’t understand this. Not every country is the US with funding and training centers for sports at different levels. Also, Singapore is not Hungary from what I have read. It seems he is speaking like they are. Singapore federation has been nothing but supportive since his historic win at the Olympics. Katinka appears to still be having problems with her federation despite her success.
Singapore government gave him the prize money IMO to show their appreciation. He has pocketed a whole lot more than most NCAA athletes who represented their countries. However, implying that the government/federation should have been responsible for all of his training up till now, is ridiculous IMO. Even in the US, most… Read more »
My heart is belong to you ♥
How the heck did the spend $1 million in two years of his schooling?(pun intended). Even if he paid full tuition it’s less than $100 grand for everything for two years
he moved to the USA in 8th grade to Bolles a private prep school so obviously 8th-12th grade and i know for a fact he’s on a full ride at Texas or thats just disrespectful. but once the school year ends training in the USA is a cost as well so over a few years period its understandable .
He’s not
I am too a well swimmer but the place where i live,there is very less scopes , no opportunities. I have learned swimming from the age of 7 and now i am 17 till 2016 i did’nt got a single chance to play regionals even.
Similar news came out of Hungary this past week. We saw similar stories in the Republic of South Africa, Russia, Serbia, Germany, Romania, and many more. These federations seem to have the same fundamental problems as FINA do. Most of them are run by oligarchs on the ideas of nepotism. Look at Gyarfas in Hungary…
Personally, I am excited to see more money flowing into swimming (e.g.: more prize money meets, higher money prizes at major international meets, etc…). At the same time, these sums barely reach many athletes. How many talented kids left swimming because they or their parents lacked funding?!
Joe boss
“Schooling’s parents reportedly paid out an estimated $1 million to fund Schooling’s training and studies in the U.S. A point to which Schooling says, ‘Absolutely not (enough financial support). Which parent should have to pay over US$1 million out of their own pocket to help their kid succeed?’”
So Singapore should’ve paid for Joe to go to the US? The way this is presented, it seems that way. Assume it’d be much better to equip Singapore with similar facilities and coaches. Right? Idk I can’t tell.