SEPANG: Olympic champion Joseph Schooling of Singapore apologised yesterday over his recent remark about “teaching Malaysia a thing or two” ahead of his Kuala Lumpur Sea Games (KL2017) campaign, upon arriving at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Schooling, 22, said it wasn’t his intention to hurt or anger Malaysians when he made his comment after the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary last month.
“I would like to apologise if my comment angered or offended anyone. It really was not my intention,” said the swimmer, who was welcomed by his mother May Schooling, who happened to be a Malaysian from Ipoh.
“I am here to do my best for the Singapore swimming fraternity as I am one of the co-captains and I do not want to be affected by any negative comments.”
Schooling, who defeated swimming legend Michael Phelps to win the men’s 100m butterfly event in Rio last year, will compete in six events at KL2017, beginning with the men’s 50m butterfly on Monday at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.
In the previous edition in Singapore two years ago, Schooling bagged nine gold medals.
On a separate note, Schooling expressed his gratitude towards Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who backed the swimmer by urging Malaysians to not jeer him on at the Games.
Schooling also added that he will not take the biennial Games lightly despite being in a class of his own.
“The Sea Games is not a training ground. My dad used to tell me, at every race, race fast and I think that holds a lot of ground.
“There are many good swimmers from countries like Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia so I must be at my best.
“Hopefully I will get to swim well and do the best I can for Singapore.”