Array
(
    [_edit_lock] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1719722316:39
        )

    [tdc_dirty_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [tdc_icon_fonts] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:0:{}
        )

    [_thumbnail_id] => Array
        (
            [0] => 212504
        )

    [_edit_last] => Array
        (
            [0] => 39
        )

    [onesignal_meta_box_present] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [onesignal_send_notification] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_modify_title_and_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_notification_custom_heading] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_notification_custom_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_post_language] => Array
        (
            [0] => English
        )

    [_molongui_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-176831
        )

    [_molongui_main_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-176831
        )

    [td_post_theme_settings] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:1:{s:11:"td_subtitle";s:126:"World Athletics favour Muhammad Azeem Fahmi, MAF has yet to reach consensus, but Shereen Samson Vallabouy remains front-runner";}
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_primary_category] => Array
        (
            [0] => 601
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_focuskw] => Array
        (
            [0] => shereen paris olympics MAF
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_linkdex] => Array
        (
            [0] => 55
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_content_score] => Array
        (
            [0] => 90
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [post_views_count] => Array
        (
            [0] => 321
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_arr] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:7:{i:0;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:1;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:2;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:3;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:4;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:5;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1749908373";s:5:"count";i:1;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:2:{i:16;i:1;i:13;i:1;}}i:6;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}}
        )

    [post_view_7days_last_day] => Array
        (
            [0] => 5
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_last_date] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1749908373
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_total] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [post_views_last_24_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [post_views_last_48_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

)
Shereen emerges as top choice for Paris Olympics | Scoop
Sprint sensation Shereen Samson Vallabouy has excelled across various distances holding national records in 200m, 400m, and showed strong potential in 100m. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop file pic, June 30, 2024
Sports

Shereen emerges as top choice for Paris Olympics

World Athletics favour Muhammad Azeem Fahmi, MAF has yet to reach consensus, but Shereen Samson Vallabouy remains front-runner

Main Author Image
Adam Zamri
Updated
2:00 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR — The competition intensifies to select between sprint sensations Muhammad Azeem Fahmi and Shereen Samson Vallabouy for the Paris Olympics wild card slot as the decision day on July 2 draws near.

Under new World Athletics regulations, which reserve the universal slot for athletes from the 100m, 800m, and marathon events, the decision ideally favours Azeem.

Despite two meetings, the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) has yet to reach a consensus. 

A press conference led by president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim at Parliament on Thursday ended without a decision.

Sources indicate that Shereen is currently the front-runner due to several strategic reasons. 

She has excelled across various distances, particularly in the 400m, and has shown strong potential in shorter sprints such as the 100m and 200m.

Shereen holds Malaysia’s records for both the 400m (51.79 seconds) and the 200m (23.33s). 

In the 100m, she achieved a personal best of 11.87s last April at the Pure Athletics Elite Invitational in Florida. 

Although she clocked 11.61s in the final round of the same event, it wasn’t officially recognised due to timing issues.

“These achievements are pivotal factors for the MAF board members as they consider their decision, alongside medical evaluations, potential, and other considerations,” said the highly-placed source to Scoop.

At 26 years old, Shereen will be nearing 30 by the time the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics come around, while Azeem, aged 20, benefits from youth with four more years for development.

Notably, MAF board members convening this Tuesday will cast their votes to determine who will represent Malaysia in Paris with Shahidan having the final say. – June 30, 2024

Topics

 

◉ Popular

From player to mentor: Wee Wern calls time on glittering squash career, takes on coaching challenge

A desire to impart her years of experience to the younger generation has seen former world number five squash player Low Wee Wern make the tough decision to hang up her racquet.

Duck and cover? FashionValet bought Vivy’s 30 Maple for RM95 mil in 2018

Purchase of Duck's holding company which appears to be owned wholly by Datin Vivy Yusof and husband Datuk Fadzarudin Shah Anuar was made same year GLICs invested RM47 mil

No forced eviction of Pasir Panjang Ulu farmers, process was legal: Perak MB

Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the process was carried out legally, adding that MB Inc held a series of direct negotiations with the farm operators since 2021, in addition to offering ex-gratia at a reasonable rate. 

◉ Related

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.