Soh Rui Yong posts 2nd apology to SNOC in hopes of representing Singapore again

Singapore marathoner Soh Rui Yong (left) posts his second apology to SNOC. (PHOTOS: Reuters/Facebook)
Singapore marathoner Soh Rui Yong (left) posts his second apology to SNOC. (PHOTOS: Reuters/Facebook)

SINGAPORE — Two-time SEA Games marathon gold medallist Soh Rui Yong has repeated his apology to the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), in hopes of being able to represent the city-state in competitions again.

The 31-year-old said in a Facebook post on Thursday (6 October) that he has deleted posts dating back to April 2019 that "may be seen as disparaging" to the SNOC. He has also written to third-party publishers to request them to do likewise.

Soh had made his first apology to SNOC in February this year, after being omitted from the Team Singapore contingent list for the SEA Games in Hanoi in May.

"I wish to put the past behind, so that I can focus on my running and contributing in any way I can to Singapore sports," he said in his latest Facebook post.

"With this in mind, I hereby unreservedly apologise to the SNOC for any past statements I may have made that had cast doubt on their propriety."

Multiple clashes since 2017

Soh and SNOC have clashed over issues such as regulations regarding the promotion of personal sponsors at the 2017 SEA Games, and Soh's initial objection to donate 20 per cent of his $10,000 cash reward for his gold-medal win back to Singapore Athletics for training and development.

His omission from the 2019 SEA Games contingent sparked a public spat with SNOC which nearly led to legal action by both parties.

Soh said in his latest Facebook post that he accepts that SNOC had their reasons for omitting him from the two SEA Games.

"I hope to race for Singapore again if selected, and fly the Singapore flag high," he wrote. "Let's put our past differences aside and be united once more."

Yahoo News Singapore has contacted the SNOC for its response to Soh's post.

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