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* Ex-national shuttler Razif Sidek honoured to present envelope for 2022 Winter Olympics
* Young rhythmic gymnast Olivia Tai honoured to present envelope for 2020 Winter Youth Olympics

Former Malaysian badminton great Datuk Razif Sidek and young rhythmic gymnast Olivia Tai was part of history at the 128th International Olympic Committee when the successful bidders for the third Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2020 and the Olympic Winter Games in 2022.The two Malaysian were picked by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to bring the envelopes to International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach that broke the good news for Lausanne, Switzerland as the host of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games and Beijing as the host for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games

Olivia, who was Malaysia’s youngest participant as a 15-year-old at the Nanjing Youth Olympics last year was honoured to bring the envelope for Lausanne, Switzerland for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games. Lausanne defeated Romania’s Brasov by 71 votes to 10.

Razif, who was Malaysia’s first Oympic medallist when he and brother Datuk Jalani Sidek won the men’s doubles bronze at the Barcelona Olympics (1992) presented the envelope bearing the name of the successful bidder for the 2022 Winter Olympics – which was Beijing – edging out Kazakhstan’s Almaty with a 44-40.

“It is an honour to be selected as the envelope bearer and be part of the history although there are many other Olympians in the country. The OCM selected me and it is something I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Razif who was also the captain of the Malaysian team that won the Thomas Cup in 1992.

For Olivia it does not matter that she was selected only because first choice Loh Zhiayi (a national diver) is in Kazan competing in the World Aquatics Championship.

“It does not matter of the opportunity came through the back door. I am honoured to be chosen and I will take this as a motivation in chasing my Olympic dreams,” said the soft spoken Olivia.

 

Winter Olympic Games Envelope Bearer Biodata Profile

Name: Mohamad Razif bin Mohd Sidek
Date of birth: 29 May 1962
Sport: Badminton (Men’s Doubles – with his brother Jailani Sidek)

Achievements:

Event: All England 1982
• Gold Medalist
• Also made history as the youngest ever Champion, at the age of 20.

Event: SEA Games 1985, 1987, 1988, 1999
• Gold Medalist

Event: Comoonwealth Games 1982, 1986, 1990
• Gold Medalist

Event: 1992 Olympic Games
• Bronze Medalist – Men’s Doubles (with his brother Jailani Sidek)
• First Olympic Medal for Malaysia

Event: Thomas Cup 1982
• Captain of the Winning Team

Event: English Masters 1986
• Champion

Event: Japan Open 1986
• Champion

Event: Malaysia Open 1986
• Champion

Event: Indonesia Open 1986
• Champion

Event: World Grand Prix 1986 & 1990
• Champion

Event: World Championship 1987
• Runners-Up

Event: World Cup 1990
• Champion

Other Achievement/Contributions:
• Captain of the National Team from 1990-1994
• National Head Coach 1994-1996
• Member of the Malaysian Badminton Association Advisory Board 1996 – Now
• Conduct Coaching Clinics for schools in Kuala Lumpur
• Recipient of the Sportswriters Association Malaysia – Benson & Hedges Gold Award 1990-1992
• Recipient of the National Athlete Honour 1992
• Member of the Olympic Council of Malaysia Hall of Frame 2002

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