Team Singapore swimmers to be conferred National Day Awards 2016

1. MCCY is pleased to announce that National Day Awards will be conferred on Mr Joseph Isaac Schooling and Ms Theresa Goh Rui Si for their exceptional achievements at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games 2016.

2. Mr Schooling will receive the Meritorious Service Medal (Pingat Jasa Gemilang). At the Olympic Games, Mr Schooling made history by winning Singapore's first ever Olympic Gold Medal in the Men's 100m Butterfly Swimming Event. His victory moved the entire nation, and inspired young athletes and Singaporeans to set new goals, reach for their dreams and pursue their aspirations.

3. Said Mr Schooling, "It is a great honour to receive this award. My Olympic gold medal is the culmination of not only my hard work all these years, but also the strong support from my family and friends, partners and the sports fraternity in Singapore. It is an achievement that everyone shares a part of. This award recognition motivates me to keep working hard and I will continue to do my best to fly our Singapore flag high on the world stage."

4. Ms Goh will receive the Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat). At the Paralympic Games, Ms Goh clinched a Bronze medal in the Women's 100m Breaststroke SB4 Swimming Event. The award is also in recognition of her commitment and perseverance in the pursuit of sporting excellence. Ms Goh was previously conferred the Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat) in 2008, for outstanding performances in various para championships in 2006 and 2007.

5. On receiving her second National Day Award, Ms Goh said, “It's a truly great honour to be conferred the Public Service Star, as it serves as an encouragement and recognition of the hard work by the people who've helped me get to where I am today. I am incredibly thankful!”

6. Singapore's double Gold Medallist from the Rio Paralympics, Ms Yip Pin Xiu, was previously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Pingat Jasa Gemilang) in 2008, for winning Singapore's first Paralympic Gold Medal at the Beijing Paralympic Games.

7. Said Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, “My heartiest congratulations to our sporting heroes Joseph Schooling and Theresa Goh on the conferment of the National Day Awards! Both of them have achieved success after years of dogged determination. Along with Yip Pin Xiu, their pursuit of excellence, determination and drive will inspire an entire generation of young people. Their achievements have brought tremendous pride to the country. The National Day Award is a well-deserved recognition of their contribution to sporting excellence and for their impact on the society, particularly with the youth.”

8. The Awards will be presented to recipients at the upcoming National Day Awards Investiture by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

Annex A - Citation on Joseph Isaac Schooling and Theresa Goh Rui Si [PDF, 93 KB]

Annex B - List of Athletes who have been conferred National Day Awards since 1998 [PDF, 77 KB]