All for the athletes: (from left) Samsonite Malaysia marketing manager Josephine Woo, the company’s country head Ambert Khoo, chef de mission Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin and Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib at the sponsorship announcement event.
KUALA LUMPUR: Why fear the Paris heat when the air coolers are here!
That was the assurance given by chef de mission (CDM) Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin to the Malaysian athletes as the Games Village will not be fitted with air-conditioners.
Hamidin said the Road to Gold (RTG) team and the National Sports Council (NSC) would prepare air coolers during the Paris Olympic Games from July 26-Aug 11.
“We knew earlier when we went for the CDM’s visit last year. We have informed our athletes that air coolers will be provided for them,” said Hamidin.
This year, the organisers opted to incorporate green technology and construction methods in an effort to reduce carbon footprints, so everything built for the village was done with sustainability in mind.
However, they have since announced that they would get temporary cooling units when the athletes arrive.
The athletes complex has 7,000 rooms and it will be equipped with geothermal cooling systems that use cold water pumped from deep beneath the ground, guaranteeing the temperature to be at least six degrees Celsius below the conditions outside.
On the political gridlock in France, Hamidin said there was nothing to be worried about.
Many are predicting that the country could be headed for months of instability as no party or alliances have won an absolute majority of parliamentary seats based on preliminary results after their polls closed.
Said Hamidin: “We are aware of the political situation because the election is over. I’m confident with the commitment shown by the organisers in terms of safety. There will be constant surveillance in the village and also in the competition venues.”
Hamidin’s assurance came after the sponsorship announcement between the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and Samsonite Malaysia, who has been named the official luggage sponsor for the team at Wisma OCM yesterday.
Ambert Khoo, country head of Samsonite Malaysia, said: “We are honoured to partner with OCM and together with the athletes as they embark on an unforgettable journey.
“This sponsorship is our commitment to support our national athletes and empower them to focus on what truly matters – their performance, their dreams and their pride in representing Malaysia.”
