ASIA: Joseph Schooling “Stops the Nation” with Singapore’s First Ever Olympic Gold

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Swimming: August 6-13
• Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro
• Prelims – 9:00 a.m/12:00 p.m PST/EST (1:00 p.m local), Finals – 6:00 p.m/9:00 p.m PST/EST (10:00 p.m local)
• SwimSwam previews 
• Rio Schedule & Results
• Live Stream (NBC)

All eyes in Singapore were on swimming at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games tonight, as Swimming Singapore billed the men’s 100 fly as “The Race That Stops The Nation.” After a groundbreaking moment in Singaporean history, the nation now has its first ever Olympic gold medal of any sport, courtesy of Joseph Schooling.

Schooling raced to the wall ahead of a loaded 100 fly field that included medal favorites Michael Phelps, Chad Le Clos, and Laszlo Cseh, stopping the clock in a new Olympic Record of 50.39 to become and Olympic champion and the fastest man ever in a textile suit. He’s now also the first Asian swimmer to win an Olympic medal in the men’s 100 fly.

Since he was young, Schooling had always looked up to Phelps after meeting him for the first time when he was 13 years old in 2008. Since then, he’s been on a mission to accomplish his dream of becoming an Olympic gold medalist, and accomplished that feat tonight against Phelps, one of his swimming idols.

After the race, Schooling was in disbelief that he had won.

“I’m sorry if I don’t seem like I’m full of emotions but I don’t know what to believe – that I actually did it or I’m still preparing for my race. I’m between the two of them.”

“I need to let this moment sink in, realise what I’ve done and then I’ll have a better understanding of what I accomplished. But right now all I can say is I’m really honoured and privileged to have an opportunity to race in an Olympic final alongside huge names like Michael, Chad, and Laszlo, guys that have redefined the sport.”

Schooling hopes this will be the first of many golds to come for Singapore, and looks to pave the way for more talented Singaporean swimmers to find success.

“It’s been a hard road. I’ve done something that no one in our country had done before. I’m not going to lie. The first guy through the wall it’s always bloody. I had to take that blow and I’m thankful and blessed that I have the ability to accomplish this.”

“It doesn’t matter where you’re from. A lot of people believe that – I don’t think I can say a lot of people, that would be a lie – some people believe that Singapore has a lot of talent. I believe that. I hope this opens a new door, opens more doors for sports in our country and hopefully I set a precedent for a lot more guys to come up.”

Tonight’s final was the last race for Schooling at the Rio Olympics. Following the conclusion of the Games, he’ll return to the University of Texas in Austin to start his junior year with Coach Eddie Reese and the Texas Longhorns.

Asian Swimming Medal Table Through Rio Day 7:

Asian Records Broken On Rio Day 7: