Champion swimmers Joseph Schooling and Theresa Goh, who did Singapore proud with their medal-winning performances in the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games, will be presented with the National Day Awards.
Schooling will receive the Meritorious Service Medal (Pingat Jasa Gemilang) and Goh will be conferred with The Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat), the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said.
President Tony Tan will present the awards to the winners during the upcoming National Day Awards Investiture in November.
While the Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to service of conspicuous merit marked by exceptional ability, merit and exemplary conduct, the Public Service Star is awarded to any person who has distinguished himself in the field of arts and letters, sports, the sciences, business, the professions and the labour movement, according to the Prime Minister's Office official website.
At Rio Olympics, Schooling created history by winning Singapore its first-ever Olympic gold medal. He won the 100m butterfly event at Rio de Janeiro in just 50.39s, which was also a new Olympic Record , edging out the likes of celebrated Olympic champion Michael Phelps and South Africa's Chad le Clos.
The 21-year-old revealed he was honoured to receive the award and that he would strive to excel in the coming days. He also credited his family, friends and the sporting fraternity of his country for the success.
"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," Schooling said, according to the report.
"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."
Goh, who won a bronze medal in the 100m SB4 women's breaststroke event at this year's Paralympic Games, said the award will serve as an encouragement for her.
"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."
Notably, Yip Pin Xiu, who clinched two gold medals (100m backstroke S2, 50m backstroke S2) had been conferred with the the Meritorious Service Medal in 2008 after her maiden gold at the Beijing Paralympic Games.
