 Singapore's first and only Olympic gold medalist, 27 year old swimmer Joseph Schooling, has admitted to consuming cannabis while training and competing in Vietnam.
CNN reported that, in a personal statement, Schooling said, "I made a mistake and I'm responsible for what I've done. I demonstrated bad judgment and I am sorry.” Singapore has some of the strictest cannabis laws in the world. Their laws against cannabis consumption apply to it’s citizens even when they are out of the country. Convictions of posession of cannabis allow for punishments of up to 10 years' imprisonment and fines of up to 20,000 Singapore dollars ($14,300). Trafficking, importing, or exporting 1.1 pounds or more could cost you the death penalty. Just this summer, Singapore has executed several people for cannabis. Vietnam, where Schooling said the cannabis consumption took place, also has strict laws on possession and use of drugs, with punishments ranging up to the death penalty. Joseph Schooling shot to fame in 2016 as a 22-year-old at the Rio Summer Olympics when he defeated US swimming legend Michael Phelps in the 100-meter butterfly to become his country's first Olympic champion. Singapore's Defence Ministry said Tuesday that it had issued a formal letter of warning to Schooling which said, "Those who are suspected of, or confessed to, abusing drugs will be placed on supervised urine test regimes …” and that anyone who tests positive during this time, “will be charged and sentenced accordingly." The Central Narcotics Bureau in Singapore said that so far their first tests of Schooling's urine for controlled drugs have "returned negative". Schooling had been on leave from military service so that he could train. The Singapore government said he will no longer be given leave from military service to train or compete. That service is expected to last until 2024, which means he will likely not be able to compete in next year's World Aquatics Championships, Asian Games or Southeast Asian Games. Sport Singapore and the Singapore Swimming Association said they will "review the facts of the case and determine appropriate steps to take." Comments are closed.
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