NATIONAL athletes are looking to some normalcy to return to their lives after getting their first shot of Covid-19 vaccine yesterday.
A total of 93 able-bodied athletes and 35 para athletes received their first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech at Desa Tasik Sports Complex in Cheras yesterday. They will get their second doses on May 4.
The first able-bodied athlete to receive the Covid shot was national track cyclist Fadhil Zonis.
Fadhil, who is the Asian record holder for the men's 1km time trial, said he is looking forward to resuming competition at international level.
Fadhil will not be competing in the Tokyo Olympics but he will race in the UCI Nations Cup series in a bid to qualify for the World Championships in Turkmenistan in October.
"I am grateful to be vaccinated, thanks to the government's efforts," said Fadhil.
"I actually did not expect to be the first athlete to receive it (yesterday). We were told that it (vaccination) would be done on a first come, first served basis.
"Since we are based in Nilai, we decided to come here early, so we could also go back early.
"I felt excited and also slightly nervous as I had also read about the temporary side effects some people suffer from the injections.
"However, it has been a few minutes now (after the injection) and I feel fine. We will take a break today and resume training tomorrow.
"We have plans to race in the Hong Kong leg of the UCI Nations Cup a week after we receive our second doses.
"I am looking forward to competing without having to worry too much about the virus, as I have been vaccinated. It will be my first race since Covid-19 struck last year."
S. Suresh, who won gold at the 2019 World Para Archery Championships in the Netherlands, was the first para athlete to receive the vaccine yesterday.
"I think this (vaccination) is great for all of us (athletes) as we are preparing for Tokyo. I am happy that we can now go for overseas competitions without being too worried about the virus," said Suresh.
"I was told there may be a slight swelling at the injection area and was instructed to go to a Klinik Kesihatan if I felt dizzy or vomitted.
"However, I am not worried about all that. I am maintaining a positive outlook and I feel fine at the moment.
"I am focused on preparing for the Paralympics."
While Suresh has secured individual qualification for Tokyo, he wants to help his team secure qualification in the Paralympic qualifiers in the Czech Republic in June.
Among the notable athletes who received their first shot of the vaccine yesterday were 2016 Paralympic gold medallists
Abdul Latif Romly, Ziyad Zolkefli, Ridzuan Puzi, 2016 Olympic silver medallist divers Pandelela Rinong, Cheong Jun Hoong, gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi and archer Khairul Anuar Mohamad.
Track cycling duo Azizulhasni Awang and Shah Firdaus Sahrom were not around for the vaccination yesterday as they are based in Melbourne.
In total, 264 people got their Covid shots, among them, Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, coaches and essential staff from the National Sports Council, National Sports Institute, Olympic Council of Malaysia and Paralympic Council of Malaysia.