It was a sea of red and white at Changi Airport early this morning as hundreds awaited the arrival of Singapore’s pride and joy, swimmer Joseph Schooling.
The 21-year-old was given a huge welcoming at Terminal 3. Many turned up with banners and flags to greet the athlete, while chanting “Schooling, Schooling!”
After clinching Singapore’s first Olympic gold medal at Rio de Janeiro on Friday night (Rio time) at the 100m butterfly finals and beating swimming legend Michael Phelps, Schooling landed just before 6am from his flight from Brazil, where the Olympic Games is currently being held at.
By 4am, a large group had gathered at the arrival hall at Terminal 3, almost two hours before Schooling walked out at 6.15am.
Many school children were spotted with their parents, waiting for a glimpse and a photo with their idol before rushing off to school.
Despite just getting off a 25-hour flight, it didn’t stop Schooling from taking selfies and giving autographs to fans who waited hours for him.
“Thank you media, thank you everyone. This is not for me, this is for you,” said Schooling as he greeted his fans.
The crowd also thanked Joseph’s father, Colin Schooling, by shouting “Thank you, Daddy Schooling!” when the 68-year-old appeared an hour before the scheduled arrival time.
Schooling was accompanied by his mother, May, 61, who had flown to Rio de Janeiro to support her son.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean was also at the airport to greet Schooling.
Schooling spent almost an hour at his welcoming before he finally left the airport at around 7.45am.
Schooling and his parents are scheduled to appear at this afternoon’s Parliament session, where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that they plan to move a motion to celebrate his triumphant win and express support for Singapore athletes competing in Rio.
The Straits Times, Reuters, AFP
klim@sph.com.sg
