Reezal Merican satisfied with list of 30 athletes to Tokyo Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican has described having 30 national athletes competing in the July 23-Aug 8 Tokyo Olympics as a satisfactory achievement.

He said he was satisfied with the number of athletes going to Tokyo as almost the same number of athletes took part in the two previous editions in Rio 2016 and London 2012.

A total of 30 athletes competed at the 2012 London Olympics while 32 athletes took part in the 2016 Rio edition.

He also called on the four athletes who were recently confirmed for the Tokyo Olympics - Lee Hup Wei (men's high jump), Azreen Nabila Alias (women's 100-metre), Jeremiah Loo Phay Xing (gymnastics) and Syaqiera Mashayikh (women's recurve archery) - to use the opportunity to do their best irrespective of whether they got their slots through wildcard or by merit.

"Their participation is very meaningful because they have a chance to break their own personal records, improve their rankings as well as try to bring home a medal for the country," he told reporters today.

He said this when asked to comment on the confirmation by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) that Malaysia will be represented by 30 athletes from 10 sports in Tokyo.

Reezal Merican had earlier observed national shoot Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi's preparations at the National Sports Council (NSC) Shooting Range at Gymnasium Three in Bukit Jalil here.

In confirming that the list of 30 Tokyo-bound athletes was final, he urged Nur Suryani to use the Tokyo Olympics to improve on her current world ranking of 223.

He also expressed confidence that the 38-year-old, who has undergone a thorough preparation, would be able to give a tough fight to her opponents when she competes in her second Olympics at the Asaka Shooting Range.

Nur Suryani had made heads turn when she competed in the women's 10m air rifle event at the 2012 edition in London when she was eight months pregnant.

Meanwhile, Reezal Merican explained that the Tokyo-bound athletes' preparations would not be affected although several areas would be placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) from tomorrow until July 16.

He said although all aspects of their training were being carried out under the sports bubble concept, he advised the athletes and coaches to always take precautions as well as take care of their health so as to curb the spread of COVID-19, both here and in Japan.

-- BERNAMA