KUALA LUMPUR: National track cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom has doubled down on his brother's call for social media users to stop attacking Japanese rider Shinji Nakano over the 2024 Paris Olympics incident.
Shah Firdaus made the call when he shared the conversation he had with Nakano recently.
He added that what upset him the most was that the Japanese rider remembered Malaysians are kind-hearted people and that he and Nakano are good friends.
"I received a text from him last night (the night before). He told me that he was being attacked (on social media).
"There were thousands of comments (in the comment section of Nakano's social media account) when I checked his account.
"I hope netizens stop all of this since it will affect our good ties too," he said.
Shah Firdaus described the action by social media users attacking Nakano on social media as embarrassing to the country.
"He remembered Malaysians as kind people because I am good friends with him. And he will take me around whenever I go to Japan.
"I feel bad when he felt such a way (attacked by social media users)," said.
Nakano's social media was flooded with comments from Malaysians after a collision between him and Shah Firdaus in the keirin final at the 2024 Paris Olympics last Sunday.
Netizens blamed Nakano after Shah Firdaus was relegated to sixth in the men's keirin final, missing out on a bronze medal opportunity.
"I hope netizens will stop all this. Yes, the incident happened and there was body contact. That is common in keirin.
"What happened was he did not have any intention to 'hentam' (crashed his bicycle) into me, it all because (of the effects of) G-force (gravitational force)
"The 'G-force' made it seem like he was going up. It is just a matter of whether you fall or not," said Shah Firdaus.
Shah Firdaus also said that an apology post on TikTok, allegedly from the Japanese cyclist, is fake.
"That's not his (Nakano's) TikTok, he told me about it.
"We met after the race... that TikTok account is just someone making up stories. But he and I are OK, there's no issue between us."
Shah Firdaus had previously said that he was not to blame for the crash and he also does not blame Nakano.
It was previously reported that Shah Firdaus's brother, Ridwan, called on the public to refrain from attacking Nakano on social media.
Ridwan, who is also a track cyclist, said accidents can occur regardless of intent and blame should not be assigned hastily.