Joseph Schooling’s career on hold as national service calls following disappointing Olympic title defence
- Singapore government, which offers deferment for ‘exceptional sportsmen’, says Schooling’s national service must begin now meaning he could miss 2022 Asian Games
Singapore swimming sensation Joseph Schooling could be set for a lengthy absence from the pool after it was announced by the country’s ministry of defence that the 26-year-old’s national service deferment will not be extended.
Schooling, who shocked the world when he claimed the gold medal in the 100-metre butterfly at the Rio 2016 Olympics, had hoped his deferment of national service, which is compulsory for all Singaporean men, would be extended beyond August this year.
But those hopes were dashed on Thursday when the ministry of defence announced it would not be extending his deferment, nor that of his national teammate Quah Zheng Wen.
“As their deferment until 31 August 2021 has ended, both Mr Schooling and Mr Quah will proceed to fulfil their NS obligations, as agreed to when they applied for deferment,” read a statement.
“They will be enlisted once the necessary pre-enlistment procedures have been completed.”
Government rules in Singapore state that long-term deferment from full-time national service is only granted “very selectively for exceptional sportsmen”.
Schooling’s Olympic title defence ended with a meek run of 53.12 in Japan.
He will now be required to sign-up for two years of active duty as full-time national servicemen in the Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Police Force or Singapore Civil Defence Force.
Shortly after his loss in the heats at the Tokyo games, Schooling said he hoped the call for national service would be delayed until after he had competed at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, which he now looks likely to miss.
“(Being called up to serve) would be tough for sure,” Schooling told The Straits Times, “because I got so much more left in the tank.”
Following the ministry of defence announcement, Schooling issued a statement saying he was proud to perform his national duty.
“As a son of Singapore, I am honoured to serve my country,” Schooling said. “Without a doubt, I would not have achieved the results I’ve had without deferring my national service.”
The ministry of defence in Singapore does grant time off for athletes to train for and compete at international competitions, so long as it does not clash with essential military duties. It said each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
