Olympics: Athletes get rewards for efforts in Olympics

By AFTAR SINGH

KUALA LUMPUR: Worldwide Olympic partners Manulife Insurance Malaysia presented rewards worth RM39,500 to 15 athletes for their performances at the Beijing Olympics last month.

Shuttler Lee Chong Wei received RM8,000 for bagging the silver medal. The Penangite was the only Malaysian to win a medal in the Games.

Pay day: Nine athletes, who competed in the Beijing Olympics received rewards from OCM president Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar (left) yesterday. Looking on are Malaysia Beijing Olympics chef-de-mission Datuk Ho Koh Chye (right) and President and CEO of Manulife Insurance Malaysia Peter Roberstson (fourth from the right).

The others received RM2,250 each for finishing in eight place or reaching the quarter-finals or breaking national records.

The rewards come under a Manulife-Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Athletes of the Games programme, which began in 1995.

The president and CEO of Manulife Malaysia, Peter Robertson, said that they would like to specially recognise Malaysian athletes who did well in the Beijing Olympics.

“They have demonstrated their ability to perform at the highest level and can be proud of their achievements,’’ he said.

The OCM president, Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar, who presented the rewards to the athletes yesterday said that it took years of hard work, commitment and a passion to succeed in competing in the Olympics.

“The rewards are to motivate athletes who have excelled in international events and to inspire others to follow in their footsteps,’’ he said.

Badminton: Lee Chong Wei (RM8,000, men’s singles silver), Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (RM2,250, men’s doubles quarter-finalists), Wong Mew Choo (RM2,250, women’s singles quarter-finalist).

Archery: Cheng Chu Sian, Mohd Marbawi Sulaiman, Wan Mohd Khalmizam Abdul Aziz (RM2,250 each, team quarter-finalists).

Cycling: Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, Mohd Rizal Tisin, Josiah Ng (RM2,250, national record in team sprint).

Swimming: Daniel Bego (RM2,250, national record in 200m freestyle), Siow Yi Ting (RM2,250, national record in 200m breaststroke).

Taekwondo: Che Chew Chan (RM2,250, eighth in the women’s 67kg category), Elaine Teo (RM2,250, eighth in the women’s under-57kg category).

Weightlifting: Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim (RM2,250, eighth and national record in the men’s below 56kg category).

Star