Stop the abuse!

Stop the abuse!

The Star Online - Sport·2021-09-04 08:01

PETALING JAYA: Stop hurting my friends!

That was the message sent by national shot putter Mohd Ziyad Zolkefli to the netizens who attacked Ukrainian gold and silver medallists Maksym Koval and Oleksandr YarovyiI in social media.

After arriving at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang yesterday, Ziyad shared his disappointment of losing the gold due to his error and the protest lodged by the Ukrainian camp – but he was more saddened with the reactions from Malaysia.

“I was really sad when the decision was made but imagine what my friends from Ukraine are going through right now.

“They are just like me. I’m emotionally down and they will be feeling the same too after seeing all those abuses,” he said.

“Please, stop. Some are condemning their physique and uttering comments that would surely hurt their feelings.

“These negative vibes have to stop. It’s time we spread some positivity and move on from this.

“All of us did our best and did not deserve any abuse.”

On Tuesday, Ziyad turned up three minutes late to the call room, which was a violation, but was allowed to compete.

Ziyad broke his own world record three times en route to winning the gold but eventually was classified as did not start (DNS) after Ukraine made an official protest.

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