Khairy defends Azizulhasni after disqualification

PETALING JAYA: Khairy Jamaluddin has defended Datuk Azizulhasni Awang after the national cyclist was disqualified from the men's keirin race.

The former Health Minister, who also previously served as the Youth and Sports Minister, called Azizul's disqualification from the Olympics event a "mistake".

"During the men's keirin final in Rio 2016, there were two false starts. The first involved Jason Kenny (GB) and our Azizulhasni Awang (MAS). The second involved Joachim Eilers (GER). All three were judged to have overtaken the derny," he said in an Instagram story.

"I remember because I was in the pit of the velodrome with team manager Amarjit Singh and coach John Beasley. All three countries appealed against disqualification.

"I remember telling Amarjit, 'We are lucky Azizul isn't the only one who overtook the derny and that a British and German cyclist also were judged to have done the same. The judges will not dare disqualify the Western cyclist.'

"Sure enough, all were given a warning but were allowed to start the final. Kenny took gold and Azizul won bronze," he added.

"What happened tonight was a mistake. But there was a clear precedent that a warning could have been given instead of outright disqualification," he said.

In a subsequent Instagram story, Khairy said Azizul, who is also known as the "Pocket Rocketman", is one of the nation’s greatest athletes of all time.

"You have done it all, Azizulhasni Awang. World champion, Olympic silver and bronze medallist. One of our greatest athletes of all time. Thank you, GOAT (Greatest of All Time) Azizulhasni Awang. Malaysia honours you," he said.

On Saturday (Aug 10), Azizul was disqualified from the men's keirin race for going ahead of the derny (motorbike) before it left the track during heat one at the Olympic Games in Paris.

His disqualification meant he was not even allowed to compete in the repechage held later.

Azizul posted on his social media account an explanation after the painful end to his last Olympics and said he navigated to the front because of the tough draw.