Singapore long-distance runner Soh Rui Yong has been nominated by Singapore Athletics (SA) to represent the nation at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.
The 33-year-old announced the news in a Facebook post on Tuesday (24 June), expressing gratitude for SA’s support.
He noted that the final decision lies with the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), which is expected to confirm its selections by the first week of September.
Soh added that he would decide which events to compete in once the selection is finalised.
“Singapore Athletics has nominated me to represent Singapore at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand in the 10,000m and marathon!” he wrote.
“The final selection decision will be made by the Singapore National Olympic Council, expected to be by the first week of September.
I will then make a final decision on the events I will race thereafter. Thank you to Singapore Athletics for your support.”
Soh represented Singapore at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia after a five-year hiatus.
Left Out of 2023 Asian Games Despite Qualification
Soh was not selected for the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, despite being nominated by SA and meeting the qualifying standard for the 10,000m race.
His exclusion was linked to a longstanding dispute with the SNOC, largely centred on his conduct on social media. Although Soh and SA appealed the decision, the SNOC stood firm.
A spokesperson told The Straits Times that Soh had failed to honour previous commitments to the Council, including those made following his participation in the Cambodia SEA Games.
They also cited his continued posting of disparaging and derisive remarks about others in public, which they said undermined the sincerity of his earlier apology and cast doubt on his assurances to behave more professionally.
The spokesperson added that, despite efforts to support and rehabilitate him, the committee was not satisfied that Soh had shown sufficient improvement in conduct to merit selection for the Asian Games.
According to media reports, the SNOC had provided SA with a detailed list of remarks Soh made on social media and in the press between March and May 2023, including comments from a podcast interview with a former footballer.
Despite these setbacks, Soh has continued to excel in competition.
In 2024, he broke two national records in the United Kingdom — clocking 4 minutes 30 seconds in the road mile at the Sir Roger Bannister Westminster Mile in London, and 15:08 in the 5km race at the Friday Night Under the Lights 5K in Battersea Park.
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