GLASGOW: Cyclist Azizulhasni Awang has apologised for his actions during the Commonwealth Games men's sprint at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on Thursday.
Azizul flashed the words "Save Gaza", which had been inscribed on his gloves, after qualifying for the sprint quarter-final.
In a statement issued by the Malaysian secretariat at the Commonwealth Games, Azizul expressed regret for his actions.
"I did not mean to show disrespect or to insult any party whatsoever. I was naïve and did not understand the consequences of my action," said Azizul.
Azizul said he had been issued with a warning letter and also verbally reprimanded by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and Malaysian chef-de-mission Datuk Ong Poh Eng.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had officially protested to the Malaysian secretariat. CGF rules prohibit athletes and officials from using its platforms for political purposes.
"I regret my actions and I would like to thank Datuk Ong, OCM, cycling team manager Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill and my coach (John Beasley) for helping to resolve this issue and I will not repeat such a mistake ever again," said Azizul.
Had the CGF strictly enforced the rules, Azizul could have been stripped of his Games accreditation.
Amarjit said following the incident, the rest of the cycling squad had been warned against making similar statements.