After a week competing at the Rio Olympics, Joseph Schooling really just wants to sleep.
The 21-year-old touched down at 530am on Monday (15 August) after an almost 25 hour flight home from Rio de Janeiro, then spent about two hours obliging hundreds of autograph and selfie hunters at Changi Airport. After a brief stop at home, it was time to head to Parliament.
“It’s been kind of non-stop really, today,” admitted Schooling. “I kind of just wanted to be by myself (to) digest my thoughts. I also want to catch some Zs tonight.”
He added, “Emotionally and physically, it’s pretty draining but I’m just going along for the ride. I’m enjoying every moment.”
Schooling was addressing reporters at Parliament after being feted in the House together with his parents Colin and May.
Schooling became Singapore’s most high profile athlete overnight when he beat Michael Phelps – one of the greatest Olympians – to gold on Saturday (13 August) in the 100m butterfly.
It was the trio’s first time in Parliament, and they were treated to a standing ovation, a “pretty cool” experience which gave Schooling “goosebumps”.
The visibly tired Olympic record holder remained composed and savvy, promising to address questions about his renewed National Service deferment at a press conference on Tuesday (16 August). Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen announced on Monday that Schooling has been deferred from National Service again, till after the 2020 Olympics.
He also revealed that although he was initially slated to stay only four days in Singapore, he was seeking permission from his school, the University of Texas at Austin, to attend the National Day Rally on Sunday (21 August).
Asked if all the attention has been overwhelming, he credited his parents and other advisors for not letting things get out of hand. “I’ve got a good support staff behind me. If I had to do all this by myself, then I would be overwhelmed, for sure.”
Source: Yahoo News
