ID :
405299
Thu, 04/28/2016 - 05:49
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No Countdown Ceremony For Olympics, Athletes Focus On Training - OCM General Secretary

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Unlike previous years, the atmosphere seems quiet, with no national sports governing bodies counting down the final 100 days before the Olympic Games, which is set to kick off in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug 5. "Its not that we do not want to have the countdown ceremony. We (Olympic Council of Malaysia) are aware of the important event. "We cannot hold the ceremony as most of the athletes who have qualified are undergoing training and attending competitions abroad," said OCM general secretary, Low Beng Choo. She said many more national athletes seeking opportunities to qualify for the Olympics. Most of the sports associations have planned special training programmes for their athletes including acclimatisation in several countries in the American continent prior to the games. "OCM constantly monitors and gets the latest information from the sporting associations involved. We will ensure there are athletes who have qualified for the Olympic Games in Malaysia for the handing over of Jalur Gemilang (national flag)," she said. However, the date of handing over the flag has not been set yet. Twelve athletes have qualified on merit for the Olympics, with 2012 bronze medalist Pandelela Rinong leading the pack as the first athlete to qualify. Accompanying her are Cheong Jun Hoong, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, Ooi Tze Liang and Nur Dhabitah Sabri (diving); Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa (cycling); Johnathan Wong (shooting); Welson Sim (swimming); Khairul Anuar Mohamad (archery) and Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy and Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif (sailing). The number may increase by July, as it also does not include the badminton players, whose Olympic qualification period expires at the end of April. Other sports still hoping to qualify are team archery, golf, athletics and weightlifting. --BERNAMA

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