At the 2016 Olympics, Singapore’s Joesph Schooling beat out legendary, Michael Phelps, in an epic 100m Butterfly Final. As expected this was a HUGE upset to USA Fans (even though Schooling technically lived and trained in the US).
I had always wondered if Joesph winning gold ‘sparked’ any change in swimming in Singapore–as there is a BEAUTIFUL facility, and great support staff for their National Team swimmers there. Luckily when I traveled overseas to Singapore, I got to sit down with Marcus Cheah (Assistant Coach of Singapore’s National Team) and ask exactly that…
Every four years, we watch swimmers break barriers and rewrite history. After each Olympic cycle, there’s always a spike in swim club memberships and junior athlete sign-ups — proof that inspiration spreads like ripples in a pool.
But the Schooling Effect goes beyond numbers. It’s the psychological wave that happens when one swimmer’s success changes what an entire community believes is possible.
In the U.S., we’ve seen this after legends like Phelps, Ledecky, and Dressel dominate the world stage. But what happened in Singapore was even more powerful — a small nation suddenly believed it could produce the world’s fastest flyer.
A few years later, I had the chance to visit that same Singapore Sports Hub, a stunning complex designed for high-performance athletes. I sat down with Marcus Cheah, Assistant Coach of Singapore’s National Team, to talk about how things had changed since Schooling’s win.
Marcus told me that Schooling’s victory lit a fire under the entire swimming system — from grassroots programs to elite national training. Suddenly, young swimmers weren’t just participating; they were chasing Olympic time standards. Coaches saw renewed motivation, and facilities received more investment.
The win didn’t just put Singapore on the map — it redefined the country’s potential.
So, what’s the science behind this? Why does one athlete’s victory impact thousands of others?
Sports psychologists call it vicarious experience — the belief that if someone similar to you can do it, you can too. Watching a swimmer like Schooling defeat the greatest of all time tells every age-group athlete: your lane matters.
That mental shift changes training habits. It changes how swimmers approach early mornings, recovery, and goal setting. Suddenly, swimmers are not just swimming laps — they’re chasing legacy.
Here’s what stands out to me as both a coach and an analyst:
That’s why I love coaching through Swim Like A Fish — we use modern tools like video analysis and virtual dryland programs to bring that same level of preparation to swimmers anywhere in the world.
When I first started coaching online, I knew the power of digital training could bridge oceans. And that’s exactly what the Schooling Effect represents: a global swimming community connected by technology.
A swimmer in Singapore, a coach in Kentucky, and a Masters athlete in Norway can now all share video, feedback, and progress in real time. No borders. No limits.
That’s what makes our sport special — it’s both ancient and futuristic. The same strokes taught 100 years ago are now being refined with biomechanics, analytics, and virtual coaching.
Whether you’re a swimmer chasing your first state cut or a coach working to inspire your team, remember this: one performance can change everything.
Maybe your “Schooling Effect” moment isn’t on an Olympic podium — maybe it’s at your next local meet. Maybe it’s the first time your athlete nails their breakout perfectly or drops a second in their 100 Fly.
Every swimmer has the power to inspire the next one. That’s the real legacy.
Rewatch the 2016 100m Fly Final.
Notice the tempo, the rhythm, and how Schooling stays composed from start to finish.
Visualize your own breakthrough race.
Picture the perfect start, breakout, and finish.
Train with intent.
Every kick, every pull — make it count.
If you want to feel that next-level strength and body control outside the pool too, pair your swim training with a structured Virtual Dryland Strength Program.
Take your swimming to the NEXT LEVEL with our Virtual Dryland Strength Training — build the power that fuels faster strokes
Until Next Time,
Abbie Fish
One Response
Great job Abbie!