Like all Singaporeans, Joseph Schooling loves being first. First Olympic swimming gold, first Olympic gold of any kind, first Singaporean to bring his country to a standstill. A nation stopped for his 100m butterfly final at the 2016 Olympics. A nation held its breath for 50.39 seconds. And a nation cried in victory. Schooling reached for the wall first and touched immortality. In that moment, he captured the hearts of almost six million people forever. He achieved the impossible. He opened a pathway. Where Schooling went, others will follow. His gold medal replaced tired excuses with fresh hope. Thanks to his achievements today, the next generation will dream about tomorrow.