Schooling knows life will never be the same

SINGAPORE — Everyone likes a winner, and everyone wants a piece of the newly minted Olympic champion Joseph Schooling.

It has been pandemonium everywhere Schooling went since he arrived back in Singapore on Monday morning. The 21-year-old swimmer is well aware that life will never be the same again after his record-breaking feat, where he beat American swim great Michael Phelps to clock an Olympic record 50.39s for the 100m butterfly gold.

“I want to be the best in the world. I saw how people treated Michael, how people look up to him, and I want to be in that position. I want to be in that position when people use me as a role model,” he said.

“So right now, things will be different, and there will be more pressure and expectations.

“Obviously, there will be more distractions now. I’m not always going to make the right choices. That’s normal. That’s what everyone does.

“But Sergio (Lopez, the out-going national head coach) always said ‘stay the course’ and don’t let anyone or anything deviate you. And that means a lot. Stay the course — in and out of the pool. That means a good balance really.”

The many examples of top athletes who have fallen from grace — after failing to cope with the immense spotlight and pressure that came with it — are also proof that Schooling will need the mental aptitude to handle it. He is aware of that, and knows that it is important for him to stay grounded and keep his focus on achieving more of the goals he has set for himself in the future.

Schooling revealed he has received advice not just from coach Lopez, his parents, but also from Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin.

“It (handling the surge in fame) boils down to your core values really, and what you stand for,” Schooling said.

“I flew with Minister Tan Chuan-Jin (back to Singapore) and almost everything he said to me was that.

“I think as long as you know what you need to do, of course, you can go party sometimes and let off steam. You don’t be a robot — that’s not good.”

For now, Schooling is focusing on the next phase of his development. He has his sights trained on taking down Phelps’ world record in the 100m fly — which means lowering his time to the world best of 49.82s in the process.

“It’s not crazy to say that it’s doable in four years’ time when I’ll be at my prime,” he said.

He will have a new tattoo of the Olympic rings on his right bicep — done yesterday at a parlour in North Bridge Road — as a permanent reminder of what he is working for.

“I wasn’t going to get this tattoo unless I achieved a top eight at least,” Schooling explained.

“Even then, I had some doubts (about getting it). But (in light of the Olympic gold) this tattoo means something special.”

As Schooling prepares his journey to defend his Olympic record and gold medal at Tokyo 2020, he also has high hopes for the Singapore swimmers, especially his national team-mate, Quah Zheng Wen, who made the semi-finals of the 100m and 200m butterfly events in Rio.

“Two semis — that is really good,” he said. “I remember in London 2012 ... We were both starry-eyed, star-struck. It is nice to see him grow alongside me.

“He has a lot more potential, and I think he can definitely win an Olympic medal, and even win (the gold) in 2020 if we keep on this path.

“If he wants to go to the States, that’s good. If he wants to stay here, it’s fine too. I have no doubts the Singapore Swimming Association is going to find a top-class coach to replace Sergio. I think Zheng has the talent to succeed anywhere he goes.”