Cover Joseph Schooling of Team Singapore competes in the Men's 100m Butterfly heats on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. (Photo: Getty Images)
Joseph Schooling of Team Singapore competes in the Men's 100m Butterfly heats on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Joseph Schooling may not have qualified for the men’s 100m butterfly semi-finals but he will always be Singapore's champion
Singaporeans were glued to our screens last night when our Olympic champion and national swimmer, Joseph Schooling, stepped up to the block to race for a chance to defend his men’s 100m butterfly title. Though Schooling fought hard, he failed to qualify for the semi-finals after clocking a time of 53.12s and finishing last in his heat. Only the top 16 will qualify for the semi-finals of the event.
See also: Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Joseph Schooling Fails to Qualify for Semi-Finals
Fans were quick to jump onto social media to voice their disappointment at the fact that Singapore lost out on an Olympic medal. However, things started to go a bit further than expected when some began to blame the athlete for not being better prepared.
That inspired many others to begin posting messages of encouragement to Schooling online with fans and politicians defending his performance and reminding everyone that simply making it to the Olympics was an achievement in itself and that we ought to be kinder.
Read on for some of the best messages of support shown online from public figures and social media users for our national swimmer.
See also: Team Singapore at Tokyo 2020 Olympics: All the Highlights So Far
Messages From Public Figures
1. Mark Richmond
2. Raeesah Khan
3. Tan Chuan-Jin
4. President Halimah Yacob
Messages from social media users
5. How a young swimmer won Singapore over
It's so crazy how every single second counts in these swimming events. Joseph Schooling has done Singapore proud, despite being 2 seconds away from qualifying in the 100m butterfly semi-finals. He won't get to defend his title, but he has won Singapore over. #Tokyo2020
— Kyle Malinda-White (he/him) 🏳️🌈 (@kylemalinda) July 29, 2021
6. Singapore's favourite son will always be an inspiration
7. Mental health is important
Joseph Schooling is an Olympic legend who has done himself, his family and his country so proud. He deserves better from the commentators and locals who have slandered him for his performance. We talk about mental health, yet we still see the media obliterating all hopes of it.
— Jherine Charmaine (@jherinedavid) July 29, 2021
8. He will do better next time
9. A privilege to have had Schooling represent us
When the world places you on a pedestal, its almost as if you are Atlas, burdened to hold the weight of the world. I hope Joseph Schooling knows that we are all already extremely fortunate to have him represent our country, our support is unconditional regardless of his results🧡
— Jo mama so phat (@chouchoupigu) July 29, 2021
10. For letting us have an Olympic dream come true
Joseph Schooling finished last in his 100m butterfly heat. He will likely not be in the semi finals to defend his crown. He has made us dream over the last 10 years and should still be proud. #Tokyo2020
— Justin Ong (@JustinOngTODAY) July 29, 2021
Topics
Camillia Dass is the digital writer for Tatler Singapore.
