Schooling Fever

William whatsapped me last Saturday morning.

 

Following that, the mothers on Baby's class group chat mentioned the win and shared the famous Schooling joke about how children love Schooling too much to declare the following Monday a public holiday.

In the days that follow, restaurants have been giving discounts on food in celebration of Schooling's Olympic gold.

Wherever the Singapore hero goes, he is thronged by crowds so that they could get a piece of him on their Facebook or Instagram.

The vibes I get from this fever is that Singaporeans are very proud that they finally have one true blue Singaporean who won the Olympic gold medal for the country. Schooling has broken the myth that 'Singapore needs foreign talents if she ever wishes to smell Olympics'.

I don't have any problem with the crowd thronging him. It is only natural to be awestruck by a great star. If one doesn't, it only means that he has above-average will power. That's all.

Some people don't like what they see. They say,"Leave the boy alone!", "They didn't even play a part in his success." and "The companies are advertising using Schooling's name and face without paying him endorsement fees!"

For sure. Nobody except his parents and his coaches played a part in his success. But when one wins an honour, the whole world rejoices with you.

I am quite sure most of these critics do not know their Chinese well.

We have a Chinese proverb that goes 

"十年寒窗无人问，一举成名天下知".

An online translation that seems apt to me is

"After ten years' hard study noticed by none , his fame fills the land once honours are won."

We celebrate because we know it was sheer hard work behind that showmanship.

We celebrate because we are proud that someone who represents the country wins big, and defies what was previously told to us in our face - that we would never make it if not for the foreign talents, that we have to thank the foreign talents in getting Singapore close to smelling the butt of Olympics.

Sure, the boy needs a break, but he is young and strong. He is only 21. He will get a good rest when he gets home. If he wants to eat his char kway teow in peace, he can always asks his parents, friends or relatives to pack it home for him. I am quite sure he was ready to be thronged the moment he chose to eat out. I even suspect that he was happy to be thronged, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!

Let every true blue Singaporean rejoice with Schooling.