Malaysian Cyclist In Hot Soup After Showing Support For Gaza In Commonwealth Games
Azizulhasni Awang made it to the quarterfinals in the cycling event but his gesture did not sit well with Games officials.
By Darian Goh — 25 Jul 2014, 11:42 AM — Updated over 10 years ago
On 24 July, Malaysian Cyclist Azizulhasni Awang Made It Through The Quarterfinals Of The Cycling Event
As Malaysia's Azizulhasni Awang made it to the quarterfinals of the men's cycling event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow yesterday, two words which appeared on his gloves did not sit well with the Games authorities.
Awang's fists featuring the message were held to cameras after the race, which took him through to the quarter-finals on Friday.
As He Sprints Through The Finish Line, He Displayed His Gloves Towards The Camera Which Read "Save Gaza". This Gesture Did Not Go Well With The Games Officials.
As he reached the finishing line, his fists with the message "Save Gaza", a reference to the ongoing Israeli attacks in the Palestinian territories which have so far killed over 800, were shown to the cameras.
The Commonwealth Games Federation is looking into an apparent political protest by a Malaysian cyclist who competed in gloves bearing the words “Save Gaza” at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome on Thursday. Azizulhasni Awang held up his gloves to the camera to show “Save” written across the right one and “Gaza” on the left.
theguardian.com
Azizulhasni Awang raced on Thursday in the men's sprint wearing gloves with "Save" over one knuckle and "Gaza" over the other. Awang's fists featuring the message were held to cameras after the race, which took him through to the quarterfinals on Friday.
ctvnews.ca
Azizul Could Be Facing Disciplinary Actions As The Commonwealth Games Federation Seeks To Avoid Athletes Using The Games For Political Means
Commonwealth Games Federation said the incident could be in breach of a rule avoiding "politics" in the Games, and said it will “contact the Malaysian chef de mission to discuss the incident and take any action," reported the Associated Press.
The CGF, like its Olympic counterpart, seeks to avoid its competitions being used for political means. A spokesman at Glasgow 2014 said: “We have asked the Malaysian chef de mission for a report so we can obtain the facts.”
theguardian.com
That action could range from a reprimand to Awang losing his accreditation.
ctvnews.ca
In The 2010 Commonwealth Games Held In India, Azizul Was Disqualified From The Final For "Aggressive Interference"
During the final of the Men’s Keirin, Malaysian Azizulhasni Awang was disqualified for aggressive interference when he forced his way past two competitors. Race winner Josiah Ng said he was "mystified" over Awang's disqualification.