Soh Rui Yong nominated by Singapore Athletics for 2025 SEA Games

Singapore long-distance runner Soh Rui Yong has been nominated by Singapore Athletics (SA) to represent the country at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.

The 33-year-old athlete revealed the news in a Facebook post on 24 June, thanking SA for its support. He stated that the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) would make the final decision on selections by early September.

Soh added that he would confirm which events to compete in once his participation is finalised. He has been put forward for both the 10,000m and the marathon.

“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.”

Soh previously returned to international competition at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia after a five-year hiatus. However, his career has also been marked by disputes with sports authorities.

In 2023, despite qualifying for the Asian Games in Hangzhou and being nominated by SA, Soh was left out of the national contingent. The SNOC cited concerns over his conduct on social media, claiming he had failed to uphold commitments to the Council following the Cambodia Games.

The SNOC also pointed to remarks made by Soh in interviews and online, which it considered disparaging and inconsistent with his earlier assurances to behave more professionally. Both Soh and SA appealed against the decision, but the appeal was rejected.

A spokesperson for the Council told The Straits Times that attempts had been made to support and rehabilitate the runner, but they remained unsatisfied with his progress.

Despite these setbacks, Soh has continued to excel on the track and road. In 2024, he set two new national records in the United Kingdom: 4 minutes 30 seconds for the road mile at the Sir Roger Bannister Westminster Mile in London, and 15:08 for the 5km race at the Friday Night Under the Lights event in Battersea Park.

The nomination by SA highlights his strong form and ongoing relevance in Singapore athletics. Whether SNOC confirms his selection will likely be watched closely, given the history of disagreements between the athlete and the Council.