KUALA LUMPUR: The thought of probably being in the same heat with top sprinters, including American Noah Lyles and reigning Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs, in the men's 100m at the Paris Games is giving Malaysian sprinter Azeem Fahmi "goosebumps".
The 20-year-old thanked the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) for offering him the sole wild card, which will see Azeem making his Olympic debut.
"I am grateful and speechless. It is still giving me goosebumps. I didn't expect to get a ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games.
"I was prepared to accept any decision from MAF president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim. The Olympic outing will help me to grow and improve my performance," said Azeem, who is in Surabaya for the ongoing Asean University Games.
MAF picked Azeem over national 400m record holder Shereen Samson Vallabouy because wild cards by World Athletics were only offered in the 100m, 800m, and marathon events.
Shereen, who is also in Surabaya, accepted MAF's decision to select Azeem for the wild card slot.
"Of course, as athletes, we have to work hard to compete in the Olympic Games.
"I will continue to work hard and come back stronger next year. Whoever gets the slot deserves it, and I am not disappointed," said Shereen.
For the record, Azeem has yet to come close to his national record of 10.09s set in 2022. His best effort this year was 10.36 in Florida in May.