KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has urged Malaysians to set aside their differences and show kindness towards Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, following his unfortunate disqualification in the men’s keirin event at the Paris Olympics last night.
Amidst the harsh criticism and backlash directed at her and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) at the Paris Games, Hannah reminded fans and netizens that now is not the time to mock an athlete who is already hurting.
“I have only one priority for Azizulhasni Awang – his well-being after this incident.
“From the very beginning, I never had to worry about this athlete and his hunger for excellence. He is driven, hardworking, and professional.
“I am angry at the decision to disqualify Azizul – please refer to his earlier post. Did the team appeal? Yes, but the decision to disqualify him was final,” Hannah stated in a social media post. She also advised the public to take the time to explain the situation to younger viewers.
“For parents who were watching the race with their children and faced with many questions such as ‘What happened? And why?’, please take the time to explain it to them. It won’t be easy, but you must help them process it, even as you struggle to accept it yourself. In sports, the rules are binding.
“For the rest of us, be kind to Azizul and his team during this difficult time. Especially so for his young family. They have made many sacrifices over the years, enduring his absence due to training hours and competitions abroad. Be kind with your words.
“Azizul, our Pocket Rocketman, I will always support your decision to race because you remain one of Malaysia’s finest athletes. Your well-being is now my priority. We love you,” she concluded.
Azizulhasni, the only Malaysian ever to wear the coveted rainbow jersey after winning gold in the keirin at the 2017 World Championships, was left in shock when his fifth and final appearance at the Olympics ended in a first-round disqualification due to a technical infringement.
Azizulhasni, 36, an Olympic bronze medallist in 2016 (Rio de Janeiro) and a silver medallist in 2021 (Tokyo), was penalised in heat one at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome for overtaking the derny (motorbike) before it left the track.
It was a heartbreaking outcome, as Azizulhasni, who was reportedly in the form of his life, had been determined to end Malaysia’s 68-year wait for an Olympic gold medal.
With Azizulhasni out of the competition, the nation’s hopes now rest on his teammate, Shah Firdaus Sahrom, who will compete in the quarter-finals today.
Shah Firdaus, who received a warning and was relegated in the first-round heats yesterday, won his repechage heat to secure a place in the quarter-finals. – August 11, 2024