Malaysian Swimming Federation starts probe into Pandelela’s claim
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Swimming Federation (MAS) will immediately investigate diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong’s claims that interference from an ‘entity’ had affected the performance of the national diving squad during the World Aquatic Championships (WAC) in Doha, recently.
The below par performance of the diving squad saw divers failing to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
MAS secretary-general Andy Low said he met Pandelela yesterday to gather input from the diver but refused to disclose any details until investigations are over and after receiving the endorsement from the National Sports Council’s Working Committee meeting which is expected to take place within three weeks to a month.
“Nothing much (about interference), once investigations are over and we know exactly what, then will inform in next press conference,” he said after a post-mortem meeting to discuss the diving squad’s failure in Doha, which lasted for about four hours.
The WAC which was the final platform to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, however, saw no Malaysian divers coming even close to the qualifying mark.
The failure of divers in Doha meant, only Betrand Rhodict Lises who had already qualified for the men’s 10m platform at the Fukuoka World Cup last year, representing the country in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Upon the diving squad’s return from Doha, Pandelela when met by reporters claimed there was an element that affected the performance of senior and junior divers.
Meanwhile, Low said the federation would tighten the selection process for international competitions and would only consider athletes who achieved the qualifying standards set for the respective events.
“We respect the desire and commitment of athletes who wish to continue but there need to be positive improvement and qualifying score, QMS (quality management systems) to be considered for future