Joseph Schooling of Singapore wins the men's 50m butterfly final at the Asia Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 23, 2018. /CFP
Singapore's first Olympic gold medalist, Joseph Schooling, has been suspended from competing after he confessed to having consumed cannabis, according to a statement issued by the country's Ministry of Defense on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old swimmer revealed he used consuming cannabis in Vietnam in May when he was training and competing for the Southeast Asia Games between May 12 and 23.
The ministry stated that following existing protocol, Schooling will be placed on a supervised urine test regime for six months. All Singapore Armed Forces personnel who test positive during this regime will be charged and sentenced accordingly.
"I am sorry that my actions have caused hurt to everyone around me, especially to my family and the young fans who look up to me," Schooling said in a statement on Tuesday.
"I gave in to a moment of weakness after going through a very tough period of my life. I demonstrated bad judgment, and I am sorry," he added.
"I made a mistake and I'm responsible for what I've done. I will make amends and right what is wrong. I won't let you down again."
According to Straits Times, Schooling suffered heartbreak at home with the death of his father, Colin, in November last year. "The senior Schooling, who had been instrumental in his son's success, died at 73 following a battle with liver cancer," editor Deepanraj Ganesan wrote in the report.
Gold medalist Joseph Schooling (2nd R) of Singapore and joint silver medalists Michael Phelps (L) of the U.S., Laszlo Cseh (2nd L) of Hungary, and Chad le Clos of South Africa celebrate on the podium after their men's 100m butterfly final during the Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016. /CFP
Singapore's first and only Olympic gold
Schooling, then a student at the University of Texas, bagged the gold medal in the 100m butterfly event at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He finished joint third in the 100m butterfly event during the International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on July 30, 2017.
During the 29th Southeast Asia Games Games in Kuala Lumpur in August 2017, Schooling bagged six gold medals in three individual and three relay events.
"But he has since been unable to replicate the form that saw him win Singapore's first and only Olympics gold," a commentary piece from Channel News Asia said.
Joseph Schooling (C) waves from the open top bus during his victory parade in Singapore, August 18, 2016. /CFP
Split reactions
"I'm very surprised by what happened and (it is) really something (that is) very much a curveball," said former Singapore Swimming Association chief Lee Kok Choy, who was president of the association for eight years.
In contrast, Hugo Boss, one of Schooling's sponsors, has affirmed that its partnership and support for Schooling remains "strong and unwavered" and that the company believes he will deliver on his promise to make amends.
Silver medalist Michael Phelps (L) of the U.S. waves next to gold medalist Joseph Schooling of Singapore during the Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016. /CFP
"It's not the end of the line for him, from a branding perspective, because he has a lifetime value as the superhero from the little red dot that did what the Michael Phelps of this world achieved," said the brand's international communications expert Lars Voedisch on Wednesday.
"It's really an 'against all odds' kind of hero story that will always be in people's hearts and that is what makes it valuable for brands," he added.
"It doesn't matter what happens to him, Joseph Schooling will always be Singapore's first Olympic gold medalist, and nobody can take that away."