Singapore Airline shuns country’s first gold medallist Joseph Schooling in Olympics PR fail

SINGAPORE Airlines has been slammed for making a big deal of Singapore’s first-ever gold medal winner but relegating him to the back of their photos on social media.

SINGAPORE Airlines has been criticised for making a big deal about Singapore’s first-ever Olympic gold medal winner ... but relegating him to the back of their photos on social media.

Swimmer Joseph Schooling, 21, beat Michael Phelps to win gold in the men’s 100m butterfly in Rio but that wasn’t enough for him to nab prime position in a photo plastered all over Singapore Airlines’ social media.

In a post on the airline’s Facebook page, the swimmer can be seen standing at the back of the photo, with the airline’s staff in front of him.

Singapore Airlines has since deleted the much-criticised post, which attracted hundreds of angry comments from Schooling’s fans.

Gold medallist Joseph Schooling, pictured in the back row, flanked by Singapore Airlines staff in the post, which has since been deleted. Picture: Singapore Airlines Facebook

Fan Tan Beng Hoon wrote: “Why is the star of the event standing behind? This photo is so wrong”, with his comment attracting more than 230 “likes” on the airline’s Facebook page.

Another fan, Peggy Hong, added: “Who is the actual STAR?? Come on SIA!! Even if Joseph Schooling does not mind or was told to stand at that position due to his height, this is totally wrong. Isn’t this party for him!! the men’s 100-meter butterfly in Rio”.

Swimmer Joseph Schooling after he won the Men's 100m Butterfly Final in Rio. Picture: AFP

While Vince Goh wrote: “Singapore Airlines, i know you are trying very best to ride on Joseph Schooling’ s achievement with your marketing but this photo ruins the whole effort”.

Another fan, Victor Sui, described it as a “big fail”, while Skinny Nyonya accused the airline of lacking common sense, “Why isn’t Schooling standing in front when he’s the one being appreciated? SIA, you’ve got no common sense”.

Singapore Airlines did not respond to fans’ comments before deleting the photo.

Originally published as Singapore Airline shuns country’s first gold medallist Joseph Schooling in Olympics PR fail