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Malaysia cancel trip to US because of swine flu scare

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: The swine flu outbreak has forced Malaysia to cancel plans to send senior divers to the United States for the fifth-leg of the FINA World Grand Prix.

The deadly new virus, which originated from Mexico, has now spread to the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Israel and Europe. The virus has killed up to 149 people in Mexico and threatens to become a pandemic.

The Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) consulted the National Sports Council (NSC) yesterday before deciding not to compete in next weekend’s US-leg of the competition.

Asum secretary Edwin Chong said they were heeding the call by the Malaysian authorities to refrain from travelling to certain places in the United States, Mexico and Canada, which have been affected by the deadly swine influenza.

However, diver Yeoh Ken Nee will be allowed to compete in the Canadian-leg of the Grand Prix, which begins on Friday.

“Ken Nee left for Montreal for the Canadian-leg yesterday together with coach Yang Zhuliang,” said Edwin.

“We will let him compete in the individual springboard event although we had to re-arrange their travel plans.

“The original plan was for them to stop over in Florida, US, to join the rest of the team. But now they will head straight for home after their competition ends,” said Edwin.

The others who were supposed to leave for the US-leg this weekend were Ken Nee’s partner for the 3m synchronised springboard, Rossharisham Roslan, and two Beijing Olympics women divers Leong Mun Yee and Pandelela Rinong.

Mun Yee and Pandelela were to compete in the 3m springboard and the 10m platform disciplines.

The decision means there will be no final tune-up for the senior divers ahead of the World Championships in Rome in July.

The senior divers have already qualified for the world meet and hopes are high that at least one diver will be able to make the individual final and one pair the synchronised final.

Bryan Nickson became the first Malaysian diver to reach the World Championship final in the 10m platform in Melbourne two years ago.

“There are no more international competitions scheduled but they will take part in the Mini Olympics in Bukit Jalil. However, we are also not sure of when the Mini Olympics will be held. We hope it will be before the World Championships,” said Edwin.

THE STAR

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