The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has announced that they will grant extensions of deferment from full-time National Service (NS) for Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen, in order for them to train and compete in the Olympic Games.

Earlier in March, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the Tokyo Olympics will be postponed for a year, and would be held latest by the summer of 2021.

Both men will be scheduled for enlistment should the Olympic Games be cancelled

According to MINDEF, the deferments are for both men to train for and compete in the Olympic Games, which have been postponed to 2021.

Schooling qualified for the 100-metre butterfly event, while Quah qualified for the 100-metre butterfly and backstroke events.

Their applications for deferment was approved by the Armed Forces Council and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).

"Mr Schooling and Mr Quah have met the criteria for deferment to be extended. They have also committed to be fully focused in their preparations for the Olympic Games, in order to reach their peak form and will not undertake any additional activities such as commercial sponsorships," said MINDEF.

MINDEF clarified with Mothership that they are allowed to continue their current sponsorships, but are committed to not take on additional ones during this period.

According to MINDEF, should the Olympic Games be cancelled, both men will be scheduled for enlistment.

Minister for MCCY Edwin Tong said that the government is fully supporting their training and preparation, and also wished them the best in their Olympic endeavours.

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Top image via Simone Castrovillari.