Following SNOC’s sanctioning of national swimmers, Joseph Schooling, Teo Zhen Ren and Roanne Ho for infringing the Code of Conduct by leaving the Athletes’ Villiage without permission at the Incheon Asian Games, May Schooling, Joseph’s mother was quoted in TODAY newspapers today:
Instead of apologising for her son’s lack of discipline and thanking SNOC for its leniency probably for the very reason that the swimmers are “very young”, Mrs Schooling is accusing the public of victimising her son and his fellow swimmers. While Singaporeans are proud of Joseph Schooling’s achievement in the Asian Games, it doesn’t mean he is entitled to his own set of Code of Conduct. This clearly shows that the three swimmers are lacking in discipline and for Joseph, perhaps some military training would do him a lot of good. AWOL is a very serious offense, for whatever reasons.“The three swimmers involved are very young and we should be looking after and helping them, rather than destroy them at the start of their (careers)”.
I hope Mrs Schooling is not trying to hold Singapore to ransom as now she has the bargaining chips. I am sure many countries would like to welcome Joseph with open arms and the choice would be hers.
Are Singaporeans destroying our very young athletes? Is this what we expect from a parent whose son has the privilege of being deferred from national service and being paid handsomely with public funds for the shining medals in his closet?
Greener Pasture