In response to queries from CNA, Singapore Aquatics said that selection for the Asian Games is based on swimmers clocking the fastest times during the qualification window.
Due to the postponement, the selection window deadline for swimmers was extended from April 2022 to May 2023.
“At the end of the extended window, two swimmers emerged ahead of Joseph on the back of faster times clocked during the selection window,” it added.
PREVIOUS ASIAN GAMES
Schooling had put up a record-setting showing at the previous two editions of the Asian Games.
At Incheon in 2014, he clinched Singapore’s first medal in a male swimming event at the Asian Games in 24 years, grabbing bronze in the 200m Butterfly event. He then took home gold and silver in the 100m and 50m butterfly events.
Schooling was responsible for two of the total of four gold medals earned by Team Singapore in Jakarta in 2018. The other two golds were from sailing and contract bridge.
He won both the 50m and 100m butterfly events, also setting an Asian Games record for the 100m. He subsequently helped the men’s 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relay teams to bronze.