KUALA LUMPUR – The heavily criticised official attire of the Malaysian contingent will not be used for the parade during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh addressed the public confusion and dissatisfaction surrounding the official attire after it was officially unveiled by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) on Sunday.
She said the Malaysian contingent will be provided with a different attire for the parade, which has been designed by a local designer.
“I respect our stakeholders, and OCM is (the ministry’s) primary stakeholder. I have a close working relationship with them and respect them as an institution.
“OCM has since been responsible for designing the jerseys, and these are not parade uniforms.
“I’ve seen comments suggesting otherwise. Our parade uniforms are already designated for athletes. Based on the feedback received, Tan Sri Norza (Zakaria) has been briefed on the ministry’s views.
“I trust OCM to manage this situation effectively,” said Hannah during a press conference at the National Women’s League in Kuala Lumpur today.
In past editions of the Olympic Games, the national contingent’s attire has traditionally been a closely guarded secret, revealed only on the day of the opening ceremony.
This attire often includes specially designed business suits or traditional garments distinct from the sports kits worn by athletes during competition.
During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Malaysian contingent donned outfits inspired by the legendary warrior Hang Tuah.
Male athletes wore attire complete with headgear and sash, while female athletes wore traditional attire with a headscarf.
These garments prominently displayed the Malaysian identity and were designed by the Faculty of Art and Design at Universiti Teknologi Mara Shah Alam.
For the Paris Olympics, the official attire of the Malaysian contingent, featuring a striking black and gold theme, was unveiled last Sunday.
While this attire will not be worn during the opening ceremony, it will be used by all athletes and officials during training sessions and on competition days throughout their stay in Paris. — June 27, 2024