THE Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have asked the Philippines Sea Games Organising Committee (PHISGOC) to return the gold medal taken from national rhythmic gymnast Izzah Amzan as soon as possible.
OCM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said the withdrawal of Izzah’s gold should not have happened as any appeal or change should have been done before the prize-giving ceremony.
“When I was told about this last night (Sunday), I spoke to PHISGOC chief operating officer Ramon Suzara and told him that we were not happy about this,” said Norza.
“The prize-giving ceremony had already been done and it was made clear that both our athletes should receive gold as they had earned identical points.
“This is also based on my own experience as chef-de-mission for Malaysia at the 2015 Singapore edition where the same thing had happened (in rhythmic gymnastics), and the organisers awarded two gold medals.
“What has happened here is very disappointing and to be fair to the athletes, both of them should receive gold,” he said.
On Sunday, Koi Sie Yan and Izzah Amzan both earned identical points in the women’s individual ribbon event. Both were awarded gold medals.
The organisers, however, on Sunday decided to withdraw Izzah’s gold and she was instead given silver.