PARIS, Aug 12 — National track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang is not likely to push for another four years to redeem his gold medal dream at the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympics.
Speaking to Bernama at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome, the 36-year-old said he had promised his family after undergoing open heart surgery just over two years ago that Paris 2024 would be his last Olympics.
The ‘Pocket Rocketman’ said although he could try to make it for LA28 by properly taking care of his body, he felt the need to take a break after facing the pressure and challenges in the sport for close to two decades and wanted to pass the baton to the next generation.
“Though I will be 40, if I take care of my body well, I know the blueprint, what to do and all, of course it will be difficult, but I can make it happen. But the thing is, after the heart operation, my mum, wife and kids have forced me to retire, and I have promised that Paris would be my last Olympics.
“So, I don’t know if they would allow (me to continue), but it has been way too long. At some point yes, we want to continue, we have fire inside us, but I believe at some point I have to step back too. Probably, I will race for one or two more years.
On Saturday, Mohd Azizulhasni, who arrived in Paris as the country’s hope for a gold medal, was disqualified in the men’s keirin first round for passing the derny (an electric motorbike acting as a pacer) before it left the track.
In April 2022, the experienced track cyclist underwent open heart surgery at the Epworth Richmond Hospital, Melbourne, due to a rare heart condition known as anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery.
Mohd Azizulhasni, who apologised to all Malaysians for coming short of getting the country’s maiden gold medal at the Games, said he was more devastated than anyone else due to the unfortunate incident.
“Malaysians are indeed sad, disappointed, there may be some who are angry, I understand, but imagine me. If Malaysians want the gold, imagine me, I want it maybe one thousand, one million times more.”
— Bernama
