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 140 Hill Street, #01-01A, Old Hill Street Police Station, Singapore 179369 T: +65 6338 3632 F: +65 6837 9459 www.mccy.gov.sg 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. 140 Hill Street, #01-01A, Old Hill Street Police Station, Singapore 179369 T: +65 6338 3632 F: +65 6837 9459 www.mccy.gov.sg 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. 140 Hill Street, #01-01A, Old Hill Street Police Station, Singapore 179369 T: +65 6338 3632 F: +65 6837 9459 www.mccy.gov.sg 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 Swimming (She was awarded PBM in 1993) Public Service Star Medal 2007 Dr William Tan Kian Meng, PBM Wheelchair Marathon Meritorious Service Medal 2008 Ms Li Jia Wei Table Tennis Ms Wang Yuegu Ms Feng Tian Wei 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 140 Hill Street, #01-01A, Old Hill Street Police Station, Singapore 179369 T: +65 6338 3632 F: +65 6837 9459 www.mccy.gov.sg .