Singapore’s Olympic golden boy Joseph Schooling admits to cannabis use, has ‘disruption privileges’ revoked by military

Admitting to consuming cannabis earlier this year means the Olympic medallist loses his disruption privileges while serving mandatory military service

Singapore insists cannabis serves as a gateway drug to more harmful substances, and people caught trafficking large quantities may face the death penalty

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Joseph Schooling of Singapore. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:35pm, 30 Aug 2022Updated: 1:48pm, 31 Aug 2022

Singapore’s military on Tuesday said the country’s Olympic golden boy Joseph Schooling, currently serving mandatory military service, admitted to consuming cannabis earlier this year.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) said the 27-year-old’s abuse of “disruption privileges” granted to him while in active service meant he would “no longer be eligible for leave or disruption to train or compete” while still a conscript.

The national daily The Straits Times said the latest development meant the swimmer was unlikely to participate in next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia as well as the Asian Games in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.

Schooling has national hero status in the island republic after his stunning victory in the men’s 100m butterfly 2016 Olympics over his childhood hero Michael Phelps. He remains the country’s sole Olympic gold medalist.

He began serving mandatory national service in January this year, after receiving official deferment from 2014 to 2021 on account of his sporting talent.

Adult male citizens of Singapore are expected to serve between 22 to 24 months in active duty.