Photo: Joseph Schooling celebrating the first gold medal by a Singaporean male swimmer since 1982; Twitter
Retired Singapore sprinter Canagasabai Kunalan (C. Kunalan) and other former national athletes have spoken up for the three swimmers Joseph Schooling, Roanne Ho and Teo Zhen Ren, who may face disciplinary action for leaving the Athletes' Village without permission and going drinking, while in Incheon for the Asian Games. "...a stern warning should suffice. You don't have to wield the sledgehammer and make them scapegoats," Kunalan told TODAY. While Kunalan has expressed his surprise at the athletes' behaviour, saying "(they) should realise they are bound by certain rules", others, like sailor Roy Tay, think "it's fine" as long as they "drink responsibly".
Sprinter U. K. Shyam, who scored a silver medal in the 2001 SEA Games, said, “It’s not an issue as long as they took their races seriously. They have done us proud and should be given the chance to relax since their races are over."
He also pointed out that the three swimmers, who are part of the 17-strong team representing Singapore at the Games, "did not display any rowdy behaviour and did not hurt anyone", and "are above the legal age and have the right to drink".
Team Singapore's chef-de-mission Jessie Phua has reportedly claimed that the incident will be further investigated after the Games.
Photo: Joseph Schooling celebrating the first gold medal by a Singaporean male swimmer since 1982; Twitter
Retired Singapore sprinter Canagasabai Kunalan (C. Kunalan) and other former national athletes have spoken up for the three swimmers Joseph Schooling, Roanne Ho and Teo Zhen Ren, who may face disciplinary action for leaving the Athletes' Village without permission and going drinking, while in Incheon for the Asian Games. "...a stern warning should suffice. You don't have to wield the sledgehammer and make them scapegoats," Kunalan told TODAY. While Kunalan has expressed his surprise at the athletes' behaviour, saying "(they) should realise they are bound by certain rules", others, like sailor Roy Tay, think "it's fine" as long as they "drink responsibly".
Sprinter U. K. Shyam, who scored a silver medal in the 2001 SEA Games, said, “It’s not an issue as long as they took their races seriously. They have done us proud and should be given the chance to relax since their races are over."
He also pointed out that the three swimmers, who are part of the 17-strong team representing Singapore at the Games, "did not display any rowdy behaviour and did not hurt anyone", and "are above the legal age and have the right to drink".
Team Singapore's chef-de-mission Jessie Phua has reportedly claimed that the incident will be further investigated after the Games.