After it was reported on Wednesday (Sept 28) that SEA Games and Commonwealth Games medallist Teong Tzen Wei is the third national swimmer investigated for drug-related offences since August, Joseph Schooling issued a statement.
He expressed disappointment that Sport Singapore will be suspending support for Teong, himself, and Amanda Lim; the three athletes in question, even as he underlined that he accepted that his choices have consequences.
“It’s disappointing, of course, to receive news of the suspension of support.
As a national athlete, we need all-rounded support to help navigate us in our journey in all aspects of life. I made a mistake and I accept the consequences.
I have been training on my own for the last five to six weeks in my spare time outside of my commitments to National Service. I’ll continue to do so and thank you to everyone who has stood by me,” Singapore’s only Olympic gold medal said via a statement released by a representative, as quoted by CNA.
In late August, Schooling and Lim, a SEA Games champion, were both found to have consumed a controlled drug.
Schooling confessed to doing so in May when he was on short-term disruption from full-time National Service (NS) to train and participate in this year’s SEA Games.
Lim was issued a stern warning by CNB under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and Schooling was issued a formal letter of warning by the Ministry of Defence.
He is no longer eligible for leave or disruption to train or compete while in National Service.
Teong admitted to having consumed controlled drugs overseas and was also issued a letter of warning.
In the course of the investigation by the CNB, all three athletes tested negative for controlled drugs. However, they admitted that they had used drugs during the time that they were TeamSG athletes.
The swimmers have all issued public apologies.
SportSG is suspending support for Schooling, Lim, and Teong for one month, which means that their training assistance grants are temporarily withheld.
The trio will not have access to sports science and sports medicine facilities and services during their suspension, said SportSG in a statement.
Many netizens’ responses to Schooling’s statement have been supportive, and fans are encouraging him to come back stronger.
/TISG