Singapore's athletes should be held accountable for Olympic performances, but line drawn at 'malicious' criticism: Edwin Tong
ENOSHIMA (Japan) — Singapore’s athletes at the Olympic Games have a responsibility to be held accountable for their performances but there is a limit when it comes to criticism of their efforts, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong on Monday (Aug 2).
Speaking to CNA on the sidelines of the Tokyo Olympics, Mr Tong said that athletes, more than anybody else, are disappointed when they do not perform.
“I think athletes do have a responsibility to be accountable. Of course, when they perform badly, I think they have to stand up for it and they have to explain. But I think I draw the line when criticism becomes personal, becomes malicious,” said Mr Tong.
“There is constructive and unconstructive criticism and suggestions. So I would say for now, give our athletes some space, they will be the most disappointed honestly; it's not that they don't know.”
Mr Tong noted that there have been a number of “very encouraging” performances at Tokyo 2020 so far.
He gave a number of examples including badminton player Loh Kean Yew, who was narrowly eliminated in the group stages by Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie; fencers Amita Berthier and Kiria Tikanah; and table tennis player Yu Mengyu.
“They really put in their all and had a couple of very encouraging performances despite results not going their way,” he said.
“We have a lot to work with. And that has really encouraged me.”
GIVING SCHOOLING SPACE
When asked about Singaporean swimmer Joseph Schooling, who failed to make the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly five years after he won gold at the Rio Olympics, Mr Tong said it was important to give “some space”.
“His results were disappointing, I think he'll be the first to admit it, but at the same time I think let's not overthink it as well and not over comment, I would say, let's give that some space,” he noted.
“Let him think about what he wants to do. And I'm sure that between him, his family, his coach, the NSA (national sport association), they will work out a path forward.”
All of Singapore’s swimmers — Schooling, Quah Ting Wen and Quah Zheng Wen — did not advance to the semi-finals of their events, with no personal bests set.
And Mr Tong noted that it has been a “tough” Olympics for them.
“It’s been (a) disappointing and tough Olympics for the swimmers, I think they'll be the first to admit it. So we really have to go back to the drawing board and see what else we can do,” he said:
“We have a good pipeline, which is half the battle won, and I think we need to now see how we can strengthen the coaching, competitions and also the exposure for this, for the up-and-coming swimmers.”
Schooling and Quah were granted an extension of their full-time National Service deferment last year by the Ministry of Defence.
This was to allow them to train for, and compete in, the Tokyo Olympics.
When asked what the next steps could be for both swimmers moving forward, Mr Tong said that it was “still very early”.
“I think frankly it's still very early to come round to a landing on this. There are a couple of variables, obviously you know what is the timing, what are the plans for Zheng and for Joe,” he said.
“Let's take it step by step. My advice to Joe when I chatted with him the day after his heats was just to free his mind, not think about it; keep an open mind, and to take some time away from the swimming — and then come back and discuss his plans.”
Swimming: Joseph Schooling fails to make semi-finals, will not defend 100m Olympic butterfly crown
TOKYO: Olympic champion Joseph Schooling will not defend his men's 100m butterfly title after failing to qualify for the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday (Jul 29).
The Singaporean finished last in his heat at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre, clocking a time of 53.12s. This placed him 44th overall out of 55.
The top 16 qualify for the semi-finals of the event.
Schooling’s national record stands at 50.39s, which he achieved in the 2016 Rio Olympics. It earned him an Olympic record and a gold medal.
Schooling’s compatriot Quah Zheng Wen also missed out on the semi-finals with a time of 52.39s.
Posting on Facebook, Team Singapore praised Quah's "valiant effort" and said it stands behind Schooling.
"We are proud of your dedication and hard work. Thank you for always flying our Singapore flag with pride," it said.
My money says Team Pseudo Singapore (comprising third rate foreign talent purchases by the PAP and forever never-good-enough Sinkies) shall return completely empty-handed. No gold medals, no silver medals, no bronze medals. Read: JUST A BIG FAT ZERO.
LMFAO Soh Rui Yong has a proposal for MINDEF with regards to our two not so golden boys of swimming!
Singapore's athletes should be held accountable for Olympic performances, but line drawn at 'malicious' criticism: Edwin Tong
ENOSHIMA (Japan) — Singapore’s athletes at the Olympic Games have a responsibility to be held accountable for their performances but there is a limit when it comes to criticism of their efforts, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong on Monday (Aug 2).
Speaking to CNA on the sidelines of the Tokyo Olympics, Mr Tong said that athletes, more than anybody else, are disappointed when they do not perform.
“I think athletes do have a responsibility to be accountable. Of course, when they perform badly, I think they have to stand up for it and they have to explain. But I think I draw the line when criticism becomes personal, becomes malicious,” said Mr Tong.
“There is constructive and unconstructive criticism and suggestions. So I would say for now, give our athletes some space, they will be the most disappointed honestly; it's not that they don't know.”
Mr Tong noted that there have been a number of “very encouraging” performances at Tokyo 2020 so far.
He gave a number of examples including badminton player Loh Kean Yew, who was narrowly eliminated in the group stages by Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie; fencers Amita Berthier and Kiria Tikanah; and table tennis player Yu Mengyu.
“They really put in their all and had a couple of very encouraging performances despite results not going their way,” he said.
“We have a lot to work with. And that has really encouraged me.”
GIVING SCHOOLING SPACE
When asked about Singaporean swimmer Joseph Schooling, who failed to make the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly five years after he won gold at the Rio Olympics, Mr Tong said it was important to give “some space”.
“His results were disappointing, I think he'll be the first to admit it, but at the same time I think let's not overthink it as well and not over comment, I would say, let's give that some space,” he noted.
“Let him think about what he wants to do. And I'm sure that between him, his family, his coach, the NSA (national sport association), they will work out a path forward.”
All of Singapore’s swimmers — Schooling, Quah Ting Wen and Quah Zheng Wen — did not advance to the semi-finals of their events, with no personal bests set.
And Mr Tong noted that it has been a “tough” Olympics for them.
“It’s been (a) disappointing and tough Olympics for the swimmers, I think they'll be the first to admit it. So we really have to go back to the drawing board and see what else we can do,” he said:
“We have a good pipeline, which is half the battle won, and I think we need to now see how we can strengthen the coaching, competitions and also the exposure for this, for the up-and-coming swimmers.”
Schooling and Quah were granted an extension of their full-time National Service deferment last year by the Ministry of Defence.
This was to allow them to train for, and compete in, the Tokyo Olympics.
When asked what the next steps could be for both swimmers moving forward, Mr Tong said that it was “still very early”.
“I think frankly it's still very early to come round to a landing on this. There are a couple of variables, obviously you know what is the timing, what are the plans for Zheng and for Joe,” he said.
“Let's take it step by step. My advice to Joe when I chatted with him the day after his heats was just to free his mind, not think about it; keep an open mind, and to take some time away from the swimming — and then come back and discuss his plans.”
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/singapores-athletes-should-be-held-accountable-olympic-performances-line-drawn-malicious
Schooling's beloved uncle also has a few words to say, actually a helluva lot to say.........
Eh maybe we should cut the dude some slack, his dad got diagnosed with cancer just a few week ago. :(
Milo aunty buay song people mocking Milo boy liao
Fake Sinkie Yu Mengyu has crashed out of the Bronze medal decider:
For Mr one-hit-wonder, national service beckons soon.
Swimming: Joseph Schooling fails to make semi-finals, will not defend 100m Olympic butterfly crown
TOKYO: Olympic champion Joseph Schooling will not defend his men's 100m butterfly title after failing to qualify for the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday (Jul 29).
The Singaporean finished last in his heat at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre, clocking a time of 53.12s. This placed him 44th overall out of 55.
The top 16 qualify for the semi-finals of the event.
Schooling’s national record stands at 50.39s, which he achieved in the 2016 Rio Olympics. It earned him an Olympic record and a gold medal.
Schooling’s compatriot Quah Zheng Wen also missed out on the semi-finals with a time of 52.39s.
Posting on Facebook, Team Singapore praised Quah's "valiant effort" and said it stands behind Schooling.
"We are proud of your dedication and hard work. Thank you for always flying our Singapore flag with pride," it said.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/tokyo-olympics-joseph-schooling-100m-butterfly-fails-semi-finals-15327508