Schooling Calls For More Funding & Support Within Singapore Swimming

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.”