Japan's Shinji Nakano Apologises & Limits IG Comments After Rude Messages From M'sian Fans
The Japanese rider collided with Shah Firdaus in the race's final stretch, causing the latter to miss out on a bronze medal.
Japanese track cyclist Shinji Nakano has apologised for his involvement in a collision with Malaysia's Shah Firdaus Sahrom during the keirin final at the Paris Olympics last Saturday, 11 August
Shinji Nakano of Japan and Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom of Malaysia crash during the men's keirin finals at the Paris Olympics.
Image via Matthew Childs/Reuters
Despite completing the race, Shah Firdaus was later relegated from fourth place to sixth. The commissaire concluded that the Malaysian rider was responsible for the crash because he moved "inside of the track when an opponent was already there".
Many Malaysian supporters quickly took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, blaming Nakano for the crash and targeting him with derogatory comments on his Instagram posts.
Subsequently, Nakano issued an apology on TikTok yesterday, 12 August, which has since amassed over a million views."I apologise to all Malaysians for my mistake. Please do not mention my family's name. I should be responsible and please do not involve my family," the athlete said.
Image via @shinji.nakano1999 (TikTok)
Nakano has also restricted comments on his Instagram account following an overwhelming number of rude and offensive messages from Malaysian users
Image via Instagram
Many Malaysians have condemned the online harassment, urging fans to show respect to all athletes
Image via X
National track cyclist Shah Firdaus has also urged Malaysians not to attack Nakano on social media:
Watch the collision in the men's keirin finals here:
More stories about the Paris Olympics here:
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