'Loser and a negative example': Soh Rui Yong slams 'fat and unhealthy' ex-Olympians for lacking discipline
Long-distance runner Soh Rui Yong has sparked debate after calling out "fat and unhealthy" former Olympians for having an excessive lifestyle.
Soh expressed his views in a Facebook post on Feb 11, in which he also promoted his running academy, RunSohFast Academy. The post has garnered more than 200 comments and 500 reactions, including from Mr Lee Hsien Yang.
"If you were formerly an OLYMPIC athlete and now you're FAT and UNHEALTHY from having an excessive lifestyle, you have forgotten your DISCIPLINE," the post read.
Soh added that these athletes have abandoned their fitness routines and healthy habits, becoming "a LOSER and a NEGATIVE EXAMPLE for the athletes and youth of today for the very movement you should be EMBODYING".
Claiming that such habits would likely reflect other aspects of their lives, Soh ended the post by encouraging others to "fix your life habits now" and including a link to his academy.
The long-distance runner told Stomp that while weight and fitness can be a "sensitive" topic, it does not excuse surrendering personal agency and giving excuses.
"Exercising for 30 minutes a day doesn't take a lot. People spend more time than that scrolling on TikTok," Soh said.
He declined to share who he was referring to in the post.
Netizens express disagreement with Soh's statement
Several netizens expressed their disagreements with Soh's sentiment and mentioned several factors that could cause former Olympians to gain weight.
"Wow that's easy talk when you're in your thirties, good health, no family commitments. I shall wait 20 years and see... Being able to train for a sport is a privilege not everyone can afford," one netizen wrote.
In response, Soh said that having "superior genes" and opportunities to be an Olympian is a privilege, and that it is an athlete's personal choice not to exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet.
Many also urged him to withhold judgment as he was still young.
"You are only 34, don't be so quick to judge former Olympians who put on weight. Wait till you are 64 and the [sic] you have the right to judge," a user advised.
"If I wait 30 years, a lot of the people I'm warning will already be dead from a heart attack," Soh responded.
One netizen, however, saw the light-hearted side to Soh's post, asking: "So it would be ok if you were always fat and unhealthy? Asking for a friend."
Soh fired back: "It's ok. But take action NOW."
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