SINGAPORE: Sport Singapore on Wednesday (Sep 28) said that it will suspend all support for national swimmers Joseph Schooling, Amanda Lim and Teong Tzen Wei for a month after they confessed to consuming controlled drugs overseas.
For a month beginning from Oct 1, the three carded athletes under the high performance scheme will not receive training assistance grants or have access to sports science and sports medicine facilities and services, SportSG said in a statement after it concluded an internal review.
Teong was named for the first time as the third swimmer to be investigated for drug-related offences.
As a spexScholar, he will also have his scholarship benefits withdrawn for one month, SportSG said.
Teong broke the SEA Games 50m freestyle record in May 2022 and won silver in the men’s 50m butterfly final at the Commonwealth Games.
SportSG noted that the athletes had tested negative for controlled drugs while under investigation by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for drug-related offences, but admitted to drug use while being TeamSG athletes.
Given Schooling's abuse of disruption privileges, MINDEF had said earlier that he will no longer be eligible for leave or disruption to train or compete while in National Service.
Lim was given a stern warning by CNB under the Misuse of Drugs Act for possessing a drug utensil.
In considering the appropriate steps to take, SportSG said that it met with the athletes and conducted an internal review, which concluded last week.
Schooling, Lim and Teong have been issued with letters of warning, it added.
SportSG said that the action taken against them "underscore their responsibility and accountability as national athletes".
It added that a range of factors were taken into account, including CNB's findings.
"All three athletes cooperated fully throughout the internal review process, and readily admitted to the consumption," SportSG noted.
"They had expressed remorse for their lapses in judgment, and have appealed to be given a second chance to prove themselves and fulfil their roles and responsibilities as national athletes."
Schooling, Lim and Teong have resolved to avoid controlled drugs in the future, and are "committed to making amends by contributing back to the sporting community and play a part in education and other efforts to prevent others from making the same mistake".
"SportSG will continue to support all three athletes after the period of suspension, in both their sporting endeavours as well as their continued rehabilitation from this episode."
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For a month beginning from Oct 1, the three carded athletes under the high performance scheme will not receive training assistance grants or have access to sports science and sports medicine facilities and services, SportSG said in a statement after it concluded an internal review.
Teong was named for the first time as the third swimmer to be investigated for drug-related offences.
As a spexScholar, he will also have his scholarship benefits withdrawn for one month, SportSG said.
Teong broke the SEA Games 50m freestyle record in May 2022 and won silver in the men’s 50m butterfly final at the Commonwealth Games.
SportSG noted that the athletes had tested negative for controlled drugs while under investigation by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for drug-related offences, but admitted to drug use while being TeamSG athletes.
Given Schooling's abuse of disruption privileges, MINDEF had said earlier that he will no longer be eligible for leave or disruption to train or compete while in National Service.
Lim was given a stern warning by CNB under the Misuse of Drugs Act for possessing a drug utensil.
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In considering the appropriate steps to take, SportSG said that it met with the athletes and conducted an internal review, which concluded last week.
Schooling, Lim and Teong have been issued with letters of warning, it added.
SportSG said that the action taken against them "underscore their responsibility and accountability as national athletes".
It added that a range of factors were taken into account, including CNB's findings.
"All three athletes cooperated fully throughout the internal review process, and readily admitted to the consumption," SportSG noted.
"They had expressed remorse for their lapses in judgment, and have appealed to be given a second chance to prove themselves and fulfil their roles and responsibilities as national athletes."
Schooling, Lim and Teong have resolved to avoid controlled drugs in the future, and are "committed to making amends by contributing back to the sporting community and play a part in education and other efforts to prevent others from making the same mistake".
"SportSG will continue to support all three athletes after the period of suspension, in both their sporting endeavours as well as their continued rehabilitation from this episode."
Continue reading...