Singapore's only Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling has applied to defer his National Service enlistment again so that he can compete in the postponed Tokyo Games, officials said on May 6. 

The swimming champion is seeking to further delay his national service.

Male Singapore citizens aged 18 have to serve two years in the military, the police or the emergency services.

NS obligation is rarely deferred or cancelled.

Schooling was previously allowed to defer national service in 2014 to train for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

He went on to beat his idol Michael Phelps to win the 100-metre butterfly gold.

He got another deferment to train for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

But the Games has been held back by one year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two swimmers have applied for deferment

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said Schooling and another Singapore swimmer, Quah Zheng Wen, have applied to postpone NS to compete in the Olympics.

Before making a decision, the ministry said it would examine "details of their training plans and milestones".

Schooling has a tough fight ahead to reclaim his 2016 gold.

He will be one year older and competing with a slew of younger competitors.

Previously, he came under unnecessary scrutiny during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines, where he won only one individual gold medal and was singled out for being out of shape.

Background

In 2018, Mindef refused to postpone the national service obligation of Singaporean football player Ben Davis.

Mindef said he did not meet the criteria even though he could play in the English Premier League.

He proceeded to sign a deal with Premier League side Fulham.

For missing his national service, Davis could now face jail if he returns to Singapore.