For Immediate release
MEDIA RELEASE
Team Singapore swimmers Joseph Isaac Schooling and Theresa Goh Rui Si
to be conferred National Day Awards
(Singapore, 7 October 2016) MCCY is pleased to announce that National Day Awards will be
conferred on Mr Joseph Isaac Schooling and Ms Theresa Goh Rui Si for their exceptional
achievements at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games 2016.
2
Mr Schooling will receive the Meritorious Service Medal (Pingat Jasa Gemilang). At
the Olympic Games, Mr Schooling made history by winning Singapore’s first ever Olympic
Gold Medal in the Men’s 100m Butterfly Swimming Event. His victory moved the entire nation,
and inspired young athletes and Singaporeans to set new goals, reach for their dreams and
pursue their aspirations.
3
Said Mr Schooling, "It is a great honour to receive this award. My Olympic gold medal is the
culmination of not only my hard work all these years, but also the strong support from my family and
friends, partners and the sports fraternity in Singapore. It is an achievement that everyone shares a
part of. This award recognition motivates me to keep working hard and I will continue to do my best
to fly our Singapore flag high on the world stage."
4
Ms Goh will receive the Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat). At the
Paralympic Games, Ms Goh clinched a Bronze medal in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke
SB4 Swimming Event. The award is also in recognition of her commitment and perseverance
in the pursuit of sporting excellence. Ms Goh was previously conferred the Public Service
Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat) in 2008, for outstanding performances in various para
championships in 2006 and 2007.
5
On receiving her second National Day Award, Ms Goh said, “It's a truly great honour to be
conferred the Public Service Star, as it serves as an encouragement and recognition of the hard work
by the people who've helped me get to where I am today. I am incredibly thankful!”
6
Singapore’s double Gold Medallist from the Rio Paralympics, Ms Yip Pin Xiu, was
previously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Pingat Jasa Gemilang) in 2008, for
winning Singapore’s first Paralympic Gold Medal at the Beijing Paralympic Games.
7
Said Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, “My heartiest
congratulations to our sporting heroes Joseph Schooling and Theresa Goh on the conferment
of the National Day Awards! Both of them have achieved success after years of dogged
determination. Along with Yip Pin Xiu, their pursuit of excellence, determination and drive will
inspire an entire generation of young people. Their achievements have brought tremendous
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pride to the country. The National Day Award is a well-deserved recognition of their
contribution to sporting excellence and for their impact on the society, particularly with the
youth.”
8
The Awards will be presented to recipients at the upcoming National Day Awards
Investiture by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.
--------------------Annex A – Citation on Joseph Isaac Schooling and Theresa Goh Rui Si
Annex B - List of Athletes who have been conferred National Day Awards since 1998
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
7 October 2016
For media queries, please contact:
Ms Joyce Poon
Tel: 6837 8433
Email: [email protected]
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
About the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth seeks to inspire Singaporeans through the
arts and sports, strengthen community bonds, and promote volunteerism and philanthropy.
Since its inception in November 2012, MCCY has been actively engaging the arts, heritage,
sports, community and youth sectors. The Ministry aims to bring into sharper focus the
efforts to build a more cohesive and vibrant society, and to deepen a sense of identity and
belonging to the nation. MCCY will work with its stakeholders to create an environment
where Singaporeans can pursue their aspirations for a better quality of life and together,
build a gracious and caring society we are proud to call home.
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Annex A – Citation on Joseph Isaac Schooling and Theresa Goh Rui Si
Meritorious Service Medal (Pingat Jasa Gemilang)
Mr Joseph Isaac Schooling, Accomplished Sportsman
Joseph Isaac Schooling made his first appearance at the OIympic Games in London 2012, at the
tender age of 17. Four years later, at the XXXI Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro Brazil, he made
history by winning Singapore’s first ever Olympic Gold Medal.
On 12 August 2016, Joseph swam to victory in the 100-metre Men’s Butterfly Final in 50.39 seconds,
breaking the Olympic, Asian and National records.
The feat was all the more impressive as Joseph led decisively against world-class competitors that
included American swimming legend Michael Phelps, and two of the fastest Butterfly swimmers of all
time – Hungarian Laszlo Cseh and South African Chad le Clos.
Joseph’s victory stirred national pride and has inspired a new generation of Team Singapore athletes
and young Singaporeans to pursue their aspirations.
For his historic achievement at the XXXI Olympic Games, Joseph is awarded the Meritorious Service
Medal.
Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat)
Ms Theresa Goh Rui Si, Accomplished Sportswoman
Theresa Goh Rui Si achieved her first Paralympic Games medal, by winning the Bronze in the
100metre Breaststroke SB4 Final, at the XV Paralympic Games in Rio de Janerio Brazil on
11 September 2016.
A four-time Paralympian, Theresa has achieved numerous victories over the years, including 27
ASEAN Para Games Gold Medals, and podium finishes at the Asian Para Games. Theresa currently
holds the Asian Record in the 100m Breaststroke (SB4) event, achieved in the 2016 IPC Swimming
European Championships.
In recognition of her tremendous spirit of resilience and her perseverance in the pursuit of sporting
excellence, Theresa is awarded the Public Service Star.
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Annex B - List of Athletes who have been conferred National Day Awards since 1998
National Day Awards
Year
Recipients – Athletes
Sports
Public Service Medal
1998
Mdm Jing Jun Hong
Table Tennis
Public Service Medal
1999
Ms Joan Huang Shiqi
Sailing
Public Service Medal
2001
Ms Melanie Ann Martens
Hockey
Public Service Medal
2003
Mr Remy Ong
Bowling
Meritorious Service Medal
2006
Ms Yeo Wei Ling, Joscelin
(She was awarded PBM in 1993)
Swimming
Public Service Star Medal
2007
Dr William Tan Kian Meng, PBM
Wheelchair Marathon
Meritorious Service Medal
2008
Ms Li Jia Wei
Ms Wang Yuegu
Ms Feng Tian Wei
Table Tennis
Public Service Medal
2008
Ms Theresa Goh Rui Si
Swimming
Meritorious Service Medal
2008
Ms Yip Pin Xiu
Swimming
Public Service Medal
2008
Ms Laurentia Tan Yen Yi
Equestrian
Public Service Star Medal
2012
Ms Laurentia Tan Yen Yi
Equestrian
Meritorious Service Medal
2015
Mr C. Kunalan
Athletics
Meritorious Service Medal
2016
Mr Joseph Isaac Schooling
Swimming
Public Service Star Medal
2016
Ms Theresa Goh Rui Si
Swimming
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