This morning was history in the making in so many ways for Singapore.

In case you missed it (man, what a morning you missed), here are a selection of 17 highlights from Singapore's first-ever Olympic gold medal ceremony — courtesy of Singapore's greatest Singaporean right now, Joseph Isaac Schooling, that we, who were here to witness history being made, will never, ever forget:

1. That moment when the Olympic medal officials came out for the ceremony... and the first guy to follow them out is:

Yup. It's almost like, "Wow, is this really happening?"

2. When it's THESE three guys coming out BEHIND him:

Hungary's László Cseh, South Africa's Chad Le Clos and... man oh man, Michael Phelps.

3. His first wave to the few Singaporeans in the stands:

He's being tremendously calm for a person who just made history for Singapore. And who is standing behind the 1st position podium. At the Rio Olympics. At age 21.

4. This scene right here:

Right at this moment, he's like, "Wow, is it really me over here at the gold-medal platform, and them over there, sharing the silver?"

Phelps already has one leg on the platform, a bright-yellow confirmation that we're still pinching ourselves over.

5. The presence of a Singaporean official at the medal ceremony. For a Singaporean gold medallist.

Ng Ser Miang is Singapore's only representative in the International Olympic Committee, who lost out last year in the IOC's presidency race — he's basically our biggest name in the Olympic circles.

Yet, we highly doubt he realistically imagined he would be here, giving out the gold medal in something, anything, at the Olympics, TO A SINGAPOREAN.

(Yes, we're still trying to digest this.)

6. Phelps, Le Clos and Cseh standing in a row holding hands, about to step up to the silver-medal podium:

Guess the craziness of the situation doesn't escape any of them. Phelps can't stop laughing:

But we really love how well all three are taking this, especially when they swam over to hug Schooling at his victory roughly half an hour prior.

7. Michael Phelps. Getting a silver medal. To Schooling's gold.

Wow. Just... we have no words.

Did we ever think we would see the day? Nope, not here at least.

Perhaps thoughts like these are running through his mind too — "this Silver medal feels unusual round my neck. Is it really a silver?"

And also, "Wow, I got beat by a guy 10 years younger than me. In my pet event." Although maybe the next thought was, "Ah, Le Clos and Cseh too, so hey. Guess I'm in good company."

This must be one heck of a Thorpe-Phelps moment for him. Except that this time, Schooling managed to beat him in the pool, instead of beating his records the way Phelps had to settle for with Thorpe after the Australian legend retired before the 2008 Games.

8. And... Schooling's Gold medal moment.

We'll let the screenshots tell the story.

Not much else to add here.

9. This moment, of course:

Joseph Schooling.

A born and bred true blue homegrown third-generation whatever you want to call it Singaporean.

Standing on the Olympic medal podium.

Holding a gold medal.

Big happy grin.

Singapore flags plastered on his jacket for good measure and further confirmation.

Additional strap for additional visual assurance. Yes, guys, we are not seeing things. Singapore. Has won. An Olympic Gold.

10. Him. With the gold. And them. With the joint-silvers.

Legendary. Historic. And so fitting. Amazing.

11. "Majulah Singapura" playing through the arena. For the first time in the Olympic Games. Ever.

Our biggest regret is not being able to have an audio soundtrack to accompany these pictures, so maybe you can have it play in your head as you scroll through them:

This legendary image that we probably will never see again — our flag first, and three other flags stacked on our left:

Look closely — to the right of the South African flag is a group of Malaysian fans jumping and waving their flags for us too! #NeighbourPride!

And yes, in case you were wondering, Schooling was singing.

We're so happy we got this shot:

What a strong, stable, level-headed young man. No tears at all, even though he must know the sheer, immense significance of what he has achieved for Singapore:

And yes, he sang all his lyrics right. We watched closely.

Seeing is believing, and we must see, in close-up, that GOLD medal:

Such calm, yet such respect and reverence for the anthem, and also a deep, mature appreciation for his amazing achievement. Good job, Joe.

How he can channel emotion without the need for over-the-top drama, tears or anything else — even though any of that would of course be entirely warranted in this scenario.

Majulah Singapura, dum da-dum!!!

Waving appreciatively and gracefully to everyone cheering for him.

Wow. It was just, wow.

11. Him receiving congratulatory handshakes and hugs from Le Clos and Phelps, people he probably grew up dreaming to get to swim and compete alongside:

So surreal.

12. Now everybody wants a piece of Schooling. And the other three legends, of course:

How astute of Joe to grab a Singapore flag before coming back for the shots. Good man.

13. This quite-lengthy conversation Schooling had with his idol:

Here, he must be thinking, "Whoaaaaaa. I actually beat my idol at the Olympics. And now he's talking to me!!!"

"Okay, now we're friends. Be cool, Jo. The whole world's watching."

He can't stop smiling — well, why should he?!

14. This shot of Michael Phelps's mom in the stands:

We wonder what she's thinking at what must be a poignant moment for her.

15. These Singaporeans going wild in Rio:

"YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Guy in red shirt: "Wah this trip I took to Rio, damn worth it sia."

Wow, imagine how it must feel to be there. Amazing, amazing, amazing.

16. And here's the obligatory medal-biting moment:

Schooling. Phelps. Le Clos. Cseh. All in the same picture. And Joe's the only one with a gold.

Whuttttttt.

17. And finally, this:

The moment where the world's three fastest butterfly swimmers you know are walking triumphantly behind you.

How incredible. History, folks, right here.

You'll definitely want to read these too:

Singapore congratulates Joseph Schooling on his Historic Olympic win

40 thoughts S’poreans must have had while watching the historic swim by Joseph Schooling live

Watching Joseph Schooling sing Majulah Singapura is even more awesome than winning an Olympic Gold medal

Joseph Schooling sets Olympic record, clinches Singapore’s first Olympic gold medal ever

Top image: Screenshot from Toggle

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