Swimming: Olympic experience will lay good foundation for S’pore: Ang Peng Siong

SINGAPORE: National swimming coach Ang Peng Siong said young swimmers like Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen have gained valuable experience at the London Olympics.

Mr Ang was speaking in an interview on Channel NewsAsia’s AM Live show on Friday morning.

He also expressed confidence that the Olympic experience will provide Singapore swimming with a good foundation to build on.

Mr Ang said: "Joseph is the youngest ’A’ qualifier to have made the 200—metres butterfly. And at this time around at the Olympic Games, it was really a challenge to qualify for the Games.

"With his age, we have to look at how we want to plan long—term, and that is 2016 Rio. I think that will be his time. We have to put things in perspective. Many of our swimmers are young swimmers."

Mr Ang explained: "If you look at the age range and compare it with Michael Phelps and all that — they are in their 25, 26 and 27 and we have Joseph who is 17 and (Quah) Zheng Wen who is 16. So we are sending in young adults and it is a learning experience for them at this time."

Schooling competed in the 100m and 200m butterfly at the recent Olympics while Quah took park in the 400m individual medley event.

— CNA/fa