PETALING JAYA: Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom wants Malaysians to uphold the country's image and not tarnish it on social media.
The national cyclist said he was still stunned by what transpired at the 2024 Paris Olympics men's keirin final in the Saint-Quentinen-Yvelines Velodrome on Sunday (Aug 11).
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"(After the crash) time seemed to have stopped. It was hard to digest. It felt like all my efforts were in vain," Mohd Shah Firdaus wrote in an Instagram post on Monday (Aug 12).
He noted that while men may plan, God decides.
Mohd Shah Firdaus called on his fans and the public to remain calm over the crash.
"I would like to remind everyone that we, as athletes, make efforts to maintain the good name of our beloved country, Malaysia.
"I hope Malaysian sports fans also protect the country's good name, especially on the international stage," he said.
"Whatever happens on the track should never become personal," he said.
Mohd Shah Firdaus also thanked his family, fans and relevant bodies such as the Youth and Sports Ministry, National Sports Council and the Johor government for supporting him throughout his career.
"Every time I fall, you have been by my side. Thank you for all the love and sacrifice," he said.
His post has received over 33,000 likes at the time of writing.
Many fans said they were proud of Mohd Shah Firdaus and hoped he would return stronger to represent Malaysia at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
In the men's keirin final, the Johor-born cyclist was in sight of a podium finish heading into the final bend in third spot when he was involved in a crash with Japan's Shinji Nakano. He ended up ranking sixth in the race.
Many vented their frustration at the Japanese cyclist over the crash. However, Mohd Shah Firdaus's brother, Muhammad Ridwan, also a track cyclist, called on Malaysians not to harass anyone involved in the collision on social media.
