YOURSAY | ‘Hope she would say the same about our gymnasts.’

‘Support our women athletes, not condemn their outfit’ - Zuraida

Hrrmph: Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin's comment would be accepted if she was equally fair and forthcoming when an athlete chooses to wear something much less.

That’s the problem with leaders such as Zuraida. Law on fairness and equality can only be taken advantage of by them, but not by others.

They are allowed to practice their religion and demand non-discrimination, but other people practising their way of life is somehow offensive to them.

I am Sabahan: I support what Zuraida says. I just hope that she would say the same when it comes to our gymnastic athletes.

No double standards, please. Don’t be like certain ministers who break the movement control order (MCO) standard operating procedures (SOPs) as easily as they ask us to follow them.

YellowGiraffe6192: Let gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi wear what she wants and let runner Azreen Nabila Alias wear what she wants, too. Respect their talent, respect their sportsmanship.

Learn from people who have been on the track. I have a sprinter friend, a national athlete in the 1980s. They will talk about running techniques, not the outfit of the day.

Remember Australian runner Cathy Freeman who won gold for the 400m in the Sydney 2000 Olympics? She was suited up just like Azreen.

Regardless of what you wear, if you have a technique that makes you run faster, well and good. Anyway, well done for the stellar efforts by all our national athletes in the Tokyo Olympics.

CiritBirit: No matter what they choose to wear, as long as they are comfortable in them, that’s good enough.

Forget the critics, they can’t do even 10 percent of what our Olympians have achieved. Azreen improved her personal best and Farah Ann is an idol to many girls who would want to emulate her one day.

Go, go, Olympians. We are all super proud of you.

PinkBird9869: You go, Azreen and Farah Ann. Heartiest congratulations to all Malaysians who have won medals.

I would like to add that those who disliked Azreen’s choice of sporty attire are just as bad as those who criticised Farah Ann’s. There is no difference.

The best for everyone is to give these athletes the support they need, and keep your unwarranted opinions to yourselves. You think you can do that?

YellowFalcon5288: Zuraida, I agree with your comment, it is their right to wear what they want. But why were you silent in Farah Ann’s case?

Don’t be biased.

GooseNBanter: Suddenly, Zuraida, you’re acting like a hero without a cape for Azreen. Such inconsistent behaviour.

This seems like another public relations campaign to distract from her constant bombardment by netizens lately due to her stubbornness in wanting to sanitise open areas and road surfaces.

However, I do support Zuraida’s statement that “her (Azreen) dressing has nothing to do with her performance as an athlete.”

Newday: The female athletes cannot get a break. Wearing too much, wearing too little.

All those who criticised Azreen should remember that she ran her Olympic qualifying time in this, which is her normal outfit.

I also recall those famous runners of the past – American Florence Griffith Joyner and Australian Cathy Freeman - who ran to victory in full-body suits.

You lot that criticise, you try to train and run Olympic qualifiers. You deserve my full scorn for your most demeaning comments otherwise.

Sabri: Whether these politicians are genuine, their statements should be taken with a pinch of salt. They will make different statements before different crowds.

So Zuraida, keep your lies to yourself.

MA: Indeed, in the same breath, Zuraida could have also commented on how netizens are practically killing off the achievements of Farah Ann.

I hope Zuraida will openly support Farah Ann’s leotard attire as this is also her personal choice.

Apa Nama: The outfit is usually designed in such a way that it gives an aerodynamic effect when a runner runs against the wind. This is well documented. It has nothing to do with religion at all.

What Azreen is actually wearing for her 100m event helps her to run faster. We have seen how she could run.

Don’t Know What To Say: Yes, what’s wrong with Azreen’s attire? It is her personal choice. We should all be proud of her achievements in the Olympics instead of making unhelpful remarks.

Go girl, go. We are proud of you.

CitizenSaro: I sure am glad to see support for our athletes. Such encouragement should not be biased by dress, gender, ethnicity or religion.

Some athletes even have chosen to run barefoot as that suits them best.

I am sure the desire to excel and win gold, silver or bronze will be the driving force for all athletes to choose the attire that suits them best.

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