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Cut swimmers some slack, say former national athletes

SINGAPORE — Former national athletes TODAY spoke to have been generally sympathetic over the incident concerning swimmers Joseph Schooling, Roanne Ho and Teo Zhen Ren.

Singapore’s  Joseph Schooling reacts during Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final. Photo: Sport Singapore

Singapore’s Joseph Schooling reacts during Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final. Photo: Sport Singapore

SINGAPORE — Former national athletes TODAY spoke to have been generally sympathetic over the incident concerning swimmers Joseph Schooling, Roanne Ho and Teo Zhen Ren.

The trio had reportedly returned to the Games Village early Saturday morning after a night out following the conclusion of the swimming programme on Friday evening.

While some claimed at least two of them appeared intoxicated and needed assistance from the Village’s police, others said they were able to walk on their own and did not cause disturbance.

Jessie Phua, Singapore’s chef-de-mission to the Incheon Asiad, gave a statement on Monday confirming the incident, while the Singapore National Olympic Council, which will commence the investigation into the matter after the Games ends this Saturday, declined to comment further.

It is understood that regardless of whether they have completed their events or not, all national athletes and officials must abide by strict codes of conduct when representing Singapore at major international meets.

But netizens have generally been sympathetic, and sprinter U K Shyam and sailor Roy Tay, both former national athletes, shared similar sentiment.

“After all the hard work, these athletes are still human and deserve a break. Their events are over and if they drink responsibly, it’s fine,” said Tay, who won the men’s 470 gold at the 2007 SEA Games with former team-mate Chung Pei Ming. “Until we know the whole context, we should not judge the swimmers.”

Shyam, a 2001 SEA Games silver medallist in the men’s 100m also said: “It’s not an issue as long as they took their races seriously. They have done us proud and should be given the chance to relax since their races are over.

“If they did not display any rowdy behaviour and hurt anyone, we should not be so harsh on them. Besides, they are above the legal age and have the right to drink.”

Schooling is 19, Ho is 21 and Teo is 20. The minimum legal age to consume alcohol is 18 in Singapore and 19 in South Korea.

Schooling won the 100m butterfly gold medal in a Games record of 51.76secs and clinched a silver and bronze in the 50m fly and 200m fly, respectively.

Singapore’s 17-strong swim team registered one of their best performances in recent editions of the Asian Games after finishing the competition with one gold, two silver and two bronze medals — Tao Li also won a silver (women’s 50m fly) and bronze (100m fly).

Retired Singapore sprint legend Canagasabai Kunalan also expressed sympathy, but admitted he was surprised at what happened.

“The swimmers should realise they are bound by certain rules,” said Kunalan, a 1966 Asian Games silver medallist in the 100m.

“But ... I definitely feel some sympathy for them and a stern warning should suffice. You don’t have to wield the sledgehammer and make them scapegoats.” EMMANUEL PHUA

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