After decades of competing in the Olympics, Singapore has finally bagged its first ever Olympic gold medal thanks to Joseph Schooling.
Schooling, 21, set a new Olympics record of 50.39 sec while narrowly beating his idol and US legend Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loon and President Tony Tan were both in attendance at Rio to witness history.
“It is an incredible feat to compete among the world’s best, stay focussed, and emerge victorious. Congrats once again to Joseph, you made us very proud today.” Lee wrote in a Facebook Post.
Schooling, who is part European and Asian will be receiving $1.0 million sg (roughly $743,000 USD) from his home country for his accomplishing. His father, Colin Schooling, who held a viewing party at his home in Singapore cried when he saw his son win.
“If I cry in front of all of you all, it’s because I have nothing to be ashamed of,” he told reporters. “My love for my son is nothing I can describe to you all.”
Michael Phelps congratulated Schooling in an interview following his defeat. Though, I’m sure losing one Gold medal is not going to keep him up at night.
Source: Yahoo News
