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IOC to decide on Pandelela’s Youth Olympics predicament

KUALA LUMPUR: Diver Pandelela Rinong is in a sticky situation ahead of the Youth Olympics in Singapore from Aug 14-26.
The rule states that an athlete had to stay the full two-week period to enjoy full boarding and be part of a cultural and educational exchange programme.

Pandelela’s diving competition is only from Aug 21-24 and the 17-year-old would rather not disrupt her intensive training in Kunming, China, as part of preparations for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.

Pandelela, who partnered Leong Mun Yee to claim a historic bronze medal for Malaysia at the World Championships in Rome last year in the women’s synchronised 10m platform event, is seen as a medal contender in New Delhi.

She is also a potential medallist in the Youth Olympics out of Malaysia’s13 qualifiers.
To accommodate the diving gem, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have written an appeal letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for an exemption for Pandalela.

OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi hopes to receive favourable reply from the IOC.
“She is a medal prospect at the New Delhi Games and losing one week of training time will certainly affect her preparation,” said Kok Chi.

“The Youth Olympics is being held for the first time. There are many new rules that have been introduced. In fact, it does not only serve as a competitive platform for the athletes but the organisers also want it to be an educational stay for these youths.

“That is why they want all the athletes to stay throughout the competition to participate in various activities prepared by them.”

Kok Chi said that Pandelela’s preparation for the Commonwealth Games was important.
“We have asked the IOC to allow this diver to arrive in Singapore on Aug 19. She will leave after the competition is over to return to Kunming.”

Asked whether Pandelela would withdraw from the Youth Olympics if their appeal was rejected, Kok Chi said: “We were told that we have to bear the expenses if an athlete does not abide by the rule to stay throughout the competition. We will cross the bridge when we come to it.”

Besides Pandelela, the others who have qualified for the Youth Olympics are Loh Wei Sheng, Sonia Cheah (badminton); Ooi Tze Liang (diving); Kevin Lim, Lai Wei Li (swimming); high jumper S. Navinraj, 110m hurdler Mohd Ajmal Mat Hassan and pole vaulter Fahmi Zam Zam (athletics); Mohd Amirul Syafiq and Khairunnisa Affendy (sailing); Fatin Atikah (weightlifting); and Lee Wan Nin (gymnastics).

For the record, there are 26 sports in the programme and they involve athletes aged between 14 years old and 18 years old.


By RAJES PAUL


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