Schooling's drug use: Swimming great Ang Peng Siong says it shows 'how vulnerable an athlete can be', as fans express shock

SINGAPORE — In the wake of Joseph Schooling’s confession on Tuesday (Aug 30) to using cannabis overseas, current and former athletes and members of the public expressed shock but also said that they feel sympathy for the national swimmer and Olympic champion, as he is only human and capable of making mistakes. 

Former national swimmer Ang Peng Siong, 59, known in his day as Asia's "flying fish", expressed sympathy for Schooling: “He lost his dear father recently and having to face a path of uncertainties in his swimming career.” 

“There are strict rules and guidelines about controlled substances when you train and compete as a sanctioned athlete. He owned up to his moment of weakness and will have to face the consequences," Ang told TODAY.

He added: "Most importantly, it reflects on how vulnerable an athlete can be when faced with life’s challenges and adversity.”

He compared Schooling's situation to United States champion swimmer Michael Phelps, the most successful Olympic athlete ever, who has gone through similar situations while suffering from depression as a high performance athlete.  

Phelps, 37, who won a total of 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold, admitted to using cannabis after a photograph surfaced in 2009 and later apologised for "inappropriate" behaviour. He was also caught drink-driving and said he contemplated suicide after the 2012 Olympics.

As it happens, Schooling beat Phelps in the 100m butterfly swimming event at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 to claim Singapore's first and only Olympic gold medal so far.

Ang added: “This is the question we have to ask ourselves: 'What about the mental well-being of our own athletes?' Do we have the professional support system for them?”

National swimmer Maximillian Ang, 21, told TODAY that he felt “speechless” upon hearing the news but said that he was sure Schooling was “under a lot of pressure and had a tough time”.

“After his Olympic Games, the nation gave him a lot of pressure. Especially at the Games and leading up to the Games, I’m very sure he was under a lot of stress.” 

Maximillian Ang added: “But then again, that was something he shouldn’t have resorted to. I am disappointed but whatever it is, that is his private life. He is still an Olympic champion, always.”  

Former national diver Jonathan Chan said that it was "harsh" of the authorities to disallow Schooling from taking leave or disruption to train or compete while in National Service. 

"If people admit (to drug use during Basic Military Training), they get sent to counselling and have to be put through urine tests. I don't see why just because he's a national athlete... he has to be stripped off all these things that he has earned," the 25-year-old told TODAY.

He added that people should be more empathetic to Schooling's situation as they do not understand what he is going through as a person and an athlete who has been under the public spotlight. 

For national rower Joan Poh, 31, who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Schooling also competed, lacking complete insight on how it happened, she was hesitant to comment on the situation. 

The authorities have not stated where Schooling consumed cannabis, or the circumstances which led to his confession of doing so.

Poh said it was not appropriate to approach Schooling to find out more as "I think he must have a lot to deal with at the moment”.

“I think a breach is a breach, there are no two ways around it and it serves as a stern reminder to me that national representatives are held to higher standards," she said.

"But if anything right now, I just want to be a friend to Joe, and ask that Singaporeans not condone breaches, but also be gracious to allow lessons and growth,” Poh added. 

For several members of the public, the news came as a shock but a number expressed understanding and support for the athlete. 

Mr Somesh Salunke, a 24-year-old undergraduate, said: “I think nobody expected him to do drugs since he has to maintain a certain image as a sports representative for Singapore.” 

Similarly, 55-year-old Amy Quek also felt shocked upon reading the news but said: “He is a human after all. So he’s not perfect and might make mistakes here and there.” 

“When he decided to take the drugs, he might have been under a lot of stress. I guess there are a lot of issues that we do not know and might not be able to understand.” 

The retired preschool educator added: “But he has taken a lot of courage to face it so kudos to him. Our government has been encouraging Singaporeans to give the yellow ribbon a second chance so why can’t he have one too?” She was referring to the approach to ex-offenders being given a chance to reintegrate into society.

But she said that he “must not repeat the same mistake again” since he is a public figure and society will not be as forgiving a second time. 

Ms Emily Chan, 51, who is semi-retired and a fan of Schooling, said that he “probably needs more hugs than criticism to do better in his life”, as he lost his father and title “all at the same time”. 

Another fan, 37-year-old writer Yusuf Hamid said that he is shocked at the “surprisingly tame punishment”, given the strict laws for drugs here. 

A 32-year-old civil servant who wanted to be known only as Mr Karthik said that although he did not condone Schooling's actions, he was aware that there is a lot of pressure and scrutiny from being Singapore's first gold medal Olympian.

"If you cheered him on when he won us gold, the least you can do is support him now when he needs it the most."

Senior communications executive, 33-year old Balakumaran Surya, said that the break will do good for Schooling as he will now be away from the public eye.

"Maybe he can come back with renewed determination," added Mr Balakumaran. 

In a Facebook post, Singaporean national marathoner Soh Rui Yong expressed support for Schooling. 

“Jo was going through a tough time, going through a loss of fitness and form, the loss of his dad, and the loss of his swimming career and his freedom by enlisting in the army,” he wrote. 

Soh added that Schooling should not have smoked cannabis, but it looks like he “did so as a coping mechanism”. 

Former Nominated Member of Parliament Anthea Ong also wrote on Facebook: “We must not be a fair-weathered society. He and his family did all the hard work and gave us all the glory in 2016 on the global stage. It’s not right to maim him publicly and repeatedly now.” 

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY NAVENE ELANGOVAN