KUALA LUMPUR: Sprinter Azeem Fahmi and 400m runner Shereen Samson Vallabouy are the only two athletes on the Malaysian Athletics Federation's (MAF) list for a wildcard slot to represent Malaysia at the Paris Olympics in July.
MAF coaching director Robert Ballard said the federation needs to submit one name to the Olympic Council of Malaysia before July 8, as only one slot is available if both athletes do not qualify on merit.
"But we are still hoping that both athletes can qualify on merit, If they qualify on merit, there's no decision to make," he told reporters at the National Sports Council Mini Stadium in Bukit Jalil here today.
Ballard acknowledged that Shereen faces a tough challenge as she needs to break her 400m record twice in upcoming competitions, starting with the Nashville meet in the US next week.
"From Nashville next weekend, she will then fly to Malaysia for the Malaysian Open.
"We have requested for entry to Almaty on June 22 for the bronze-level Kazakhstan Open for both Shereen and Azeem to attempt to qualify for the Olympics on merit," he said. - BERNAMA
