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The two Singapore swimmers accused of smiling at the misfortune of their American colleagues at the 12th Fina World Championships are not likely to face any disciplinary action.
On Sunday, 16-year-old Zack Ong and 19-year-old Bryan Tay, both members of Singapore’s 4x100m individual medley team, were resting in the media zone after their heat when it was announced that the US swim team was disqualified.
An Associated Press wire report later said that the pair “pointed at the ‘DSQ’ (disqualified) listed next to the United States on a television monitor and smiled”.
On Monday, the pair denied that they revelled in the shock result and the Americans’ dismay, while Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) vice-president Oon Jin Gee said that there would be an investigation and an official apology would be issued if the boys were indeed guilty of “poor sportsmanship”.
“I have faith in my swimmers that they had no ill intent,” Oon told TODAY newspaper on Tuesday. “We would like to close this matter as soon as possible because if anything this episode affects our priorities at hand.”
There has been no official communication with the United States Olympic Committee, but Singapore Sports Council High Performance director Wayde Clews is still unconcerned. “The Americans will still be here in August as part of their acclimatisation programme and again eight days before next year’s Beijing Olympics,” he said.
While Bryan is due home on Wednesday, Zach flew in Tuesday night with the rest of the team. His father Daniel Ong, the SSA assistant treasurer, was there to meet his son.
“I wouldn’t say our relay team was unfairly targeted but really, why would we be celebrating a disqualification that had nothing to do with us?” said Daniel.
The 16-year-old secondary school student next heads off to the Perth Asian All Stars meet this Friday.
In the meantime, he’ll have to live down the teasing of his friends and fellow swimmers. As one of this team-mates walking by cheekily reminded him while he spoke with this reporter: “Hey Zach, don’t forget to smile ...” - TODAY/il
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