SNOC to convene disciplinary hearing into Schooling and Lim's cannabis consumption cases, Latest Swimming News - The New Paper
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SNOC to convene disciplinary hearing into Schooling and Lim's cannabis consumption cases

The Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) will convene a disciplinary committee to look into the cases of national swimmers Joseph Schooling and Amanda Lim, who were investigated by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for possible offences related to the consumption of cannabis.

The move emerged a day after Schooling, the country's only Olympic gold medallist, confessed to consuming cannabis when in Vietnam for the SEA Games in May. He has been dealt with by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) as he is undergoing National Service and the incident occurred while he was on a short-term disruption for the Hanoi Games.

Lim, 29, was issued a stern warning by the CNB under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Both tested negative for controlled drugs but issued apologies for their mistakes.

The SNOC declined further comment, but The Straits Times understands that the committee has the power to bar an athlete from participating in major Games for any period of time.

This includes revoking Schooling and Lim's selection for next year's SEA Games in Cambodia and Asian Games in Hangzhou China, although Mindef has already stripped the former of his disruption and leave privileges, making it highly unlikely he will be able to compete in both meets anyway.

In the aftermath of the bombshell revelations on Tuesday (Aug 31), Sport Singapore said it intends to review the circumstances behind the incident, and determine the appropriate steps to be taken.

It did not confirm if this includes a review of Schooling's Sports Excellence Scholarship status.

Currently, he receives financial support under the Spex Scholarship, which offers monthly stipends from $1,200 to $8,400 to athletes who are deemed to have the potential to excel on the regional, Asian and world stage.

Lim is no longer a Spex scholar but both she and Schooling receive other forms of support such as medical care from SportSG.

ST has also reached out to the Singapore Swimming Association and Anti Doping Singapore to ask if they will take any punitive and rehabilitative action in the duo's cases.

joseph schoolingDRUG CONSUMPTIONSingapore National Olympic Council