Singapore’s Only Olympic Champion Banned from Competing for Admitting to Cannabis Consumption

In late August, Joseph Schooling, Singapore’s only Olympic Champion was suspended from training and competing after he admitted to consuming cannabis roughly four months ago, overseas.

Joseph Schooling, a global swimming icon, made a name for himself after beating his childhood idol Michael Phelps in the men’s 100-meter butterfly race at the 2016 Rio Summer Games and earning himself an Olympic Gold Medal.

Individuals and athletes are expressing sympathy for Schooling, noting that he dealt with a difficult season, suffering the loss of his father in November and the immense pressures he faced as a star athlete and global ambassador.

Singapore still holds a strict stance against cannabis consumption, banning it entirely throughout the territory.  Despite testing negative, Schooling’s omission has created a divided opinion within the State.  On August 30, 2022, Singapore’s Ministry of Defence issued a statement;

“Urine tests for controlled drugs conducted on PTE Joseph Schooling returned negative. However, PTE Schooling confessed to have consumed cannabis overseas in May 2022, when he was on short term disruption from full-time National Service (NS) to train and participate in the Southeast Asian Games.”

Later that day, Joseph issued an apology via Instagram;

 “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…”

-J Schooling | Instagram

Schooling’s fate will be decided following an investigation by the Country’s Sports Authorities.  Earlier this year Thailand became the region’s first country to fully decriminalize cannabis. Despite other surrounding countries trending in a similar direction, Singapore remains stuck on its strict stance against cannabis.