Sport Singapore Adds Teong Tzen Wei to Sanction List over Drug Use

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Photo Courtesy: Kelly Lennon

Sport Singapore Adds Teong Tzen Wei to Sanction List over Drug Use

Sporting Singapore has found Teong Tzen Wei guilty of “consuming controlled drugs,” making him the third high-profile swimmer to face discipline.

Earlier this month, Olympians Joseph Schooling and Amanda Lim admitted to consuming cannabis during an overseas trip. Teong was added to that list Wednesday following an internal review. Though he passed a drug test, he admitted to consuming drugs.

The reports on Teong did not specify which drug he is alleged to have used. Both Schooling and Lim admitted to (and apologized for) using cannabis.

Teong is coming off an outstanding summer in which he won a silver medal in the 50 butterfly at the Commonwealth Games. He also won gold in the 50 free and 50 fly at the Southeast Asian Games in the spring.

All three swimmers have had their support by Sport Singapore suspended for a month, effective Oct. 1. That includes training assistance grants, access to sports science and sports medicine facilities and, for Teong, a Sports Excellence Scholarship he receives. Schooling has been training on his own separate from the national training center for the last six weeks.

The trio is also being investigated by Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau, charged with enforcing draconian drug laws in a nation where narcotics trafficking can still yield the death penalty. They have been issued formal letters of warning and could have prize money withheld. Schooling’s situation is complicated by his participation in compulsory national service, with his leave for training and competition restricted because of his admitted drug use.

“SportSG also noted that all three athletes cooperated fully throughout the internal review process and readily admitted to the consumption,” Sports Singapore said in a release. “They had expressed remorse for their lapses in judgement, and have appealed to be given a second chance to prove themselves and fulfil their roles and responsibilities as national athletes.”

Both Lim and Schooling reiterated this week their contrition for their violations of the law.

“I made a mistake and I accept the consequences,” Schooling told Today Online. “ … “I’ll continue to do so and thank you to everyone who has stood by me.”

“I am still a work in progress with much more to learn,” Lim said. “… Thank you to everyone who has stood by me and I will give my all to make Singapore proud again.”

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