KUALA LUMPUR: To say 36-year-old Yap Ken Vun is an avid — not to mention patriotic — sports fan may just be an understatement.
Over the past several years, the human resources executive had been scrimping and saving.
Unable to attend the 2020 Tokyo Olympics because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Yap began planning a trip to Paris for this year's sports extravaganza.
He had managed to set aside RM12,000 and was willing to spend it all on a solo trip to France, just so he could support the country's athletes.
"I travelled alone from Malaysia, but I stayed with a fellow Malaysian supporter, Chao Khai Yuen, in Paris.
"To get here, I saved and created a bank account specifically for my visit to the Olympics. I put all my excess money in that account," he said.
Yap said the opportunity to be in Paris during the Olympic games was an extraordinary and valuable experience because he was able to be with supporters from all over the world.
He said it was an even bigger matter of pride for him when he was able to watch badminton players such as doubles pairing Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, as well as singles player Lee Zii Jia from the very beginning of the competition right up to winning bronze medals.
"I wanted to attend all the events involving our national athletes to support them, but the high costs have limited my movement here in Paris.
"I could only attend the badminton and athletics events to support our sprinter, Muhammad Azeem Fahmi, in the 100m sprint event.
"Although I haven't seen our athletes win gold in person yet, the two bronze medals have made me satisfied and proud, and it feels worth it coming all this way," he said.
Yap said he did not expect pictures and videos of him wearing traditional Kadazandusun clothing would go viral on social media.
"My intention was to create something unique and introduce Sabah's traditional attire to other countries and while supporting sports, I could also promote our national culture, as I also wore the Baju Melayu.
"I'm certainly proud, especially when my face appeared live on television and was watched by people from all over the world.
"I feel touched and amazed, almost in disbelief, to be here and witness the 2024 Paris Olympics in person," he said.
Yap, who left Malaysia on July 31, left for home from Paris yesterday, hoping that all the national athletes would continue their best in their respective events.