Singapore swimming hero Joseph Schooling admits using cannabis while competing in Vietnam

By Andrew McNicol and Heather Chen, CNN

Updated 0657 GMT (1457 HKT) August 31, 2022

Singapore's Joseph Schooling at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

(CNN)Singapore's first and only Olympic gold medalist Joseph Schooling has apologized for consuming cannabis while training and competing in Vietnam.

Schooling, a swimmer, confessed on Tuesday to having used the drug in May during a period when he was competing in the Southeast Asian Games, at which he won two golds and a bronze.«I made a mistake and I'm responsible for what I've done. I demonstrated bad judgment and I am sorry,» said Schooling, 27, in a personal statement seen by CNN. «I am sorry that my actions have caused hurt to everyone around me, especially to my family and the young fans who look up to me,» he added. «I won't let you down again.» It is unclear what prompted the confession from Schooling, who was competing while on leave from national service in the Singaporean military. Also unclear is the extent of any punishment he faces, though the Singapore government has said he will no longer be given leave from military service to train or compete. Read MoreSchooling's military service, which began in January, is expected to last until 2024, meaning he is unlikely to be able to compete in next year's World Aquatics Championships, Asian Games or Southeast Asian Games.Further censure is possible, with the sport's governing bodies, Sport Singapore and the Singapore Swimming Association saying they will «review the facts of the case and determine appropriate steps to take.»The Southeast Asian Games did not immediately reply when asked whether Schooling's results in May would stand.Singapore has laws against cannabis consumption that apply to its citizens even while overseas