The country has not picked Soh Rui Yong for the next Southeast Asian Games. Soh is a Singaporean national long-distance runner, and holder of four national records: 5,000m, 10,000m, half marathon and marathon.
He was previously seen in the media for
- Paying $180,000 in damages Ashley Liew in the defamation case that he lost
- Supporting Titus Low’s career
- Apologising to Singapore National Olympic Council
Not selected for SEA Games
In aa Facebook post published by Soh he expressed disappointment that he was not selected to represent the country
|Statement on Non-Selection for 2022 Asian Games|
In response to my non-selection for the 2022 Hanoi SEA Games, I penned a public apology to the Singapore National Olympic Council where I indicated my willingness to “resolve our differences and move forward in the best interests of Singapore sports”: https://www.straitstimes.com/…/athletics-soh-rui-yong…
I did not hear back from the SNOC after that. Afterward, Singapore Athletics nominated me for the 2022 Asian Games to be held in China this September. I found out about SNOC rejecting SA’s nomination and read about my exclusion from the 2022 Asian Games Singapore contingent via the media today:
For clarity’s sake, I had met the Asian Games qualifying marks for both the 10,000m and the marathon.
SNOC’s statement regarding my 2022 Asian Games non-selection was as follows: “We have yet to find any satisfactory evidence to demonstrate changed behaviour and conduct by Soh Rui Yong (since the Hanoi SEA Games selection meeting) which would enable him to meet the non-performance related standards required.”
I spoke to President Lien of Singapore Athletics and will work through the association to file an appeal if the association decides to file one.
In the meantime, I would suggest a meeting with the SNOC officials concerned to resolve any outstanding differences or misunderstandings so that everyone can be on the same page.
I am disappointed to see yet another selection result in negative press for Singapore sports, but wish my teammates all the best at the Asian Games. I remain open to resolving differences with the SNOC officials if they are willing.