PARIS: After over 18-years of service to the national track cycling team, John Beasley can now call Malaysia his home.
The 62-year-old coach shared that, he just got confirmation as a permanent resident about three weeks ago.
"I got a phone call, that was one of the happiest days in my life, saying that I have got the permanent resident status. I feel accepted and honoured, and I really feel like I am a white Malaysian....I tell everyone I come from Genting Highland.
"But yeah, I am proud, I love Malaysia. My wife (Vicky Beasley) loves it there. I am trying to learn Bahasa Malaysia as well. I can follow a conversation by the boys, but it is really hard for me to put it together, but I am committed to getting it better," he said.
The Australian took the national track cycling coaching job in Jan 1, 2006, and was the backbone of Azizulhasni Awang's growth from a teenager to world class keirin rider, winning the 2017 World Championship gold and two Olympic medals - bronze in Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo 2020.
The Paris 2024 is his last coaching assignment, as he will take up the national team's technical director role.
Commenting on his relationship with Azizulhasni, Beasley said he is like a god father to the 36-year-old rider and they share a beautiful bond since taking the Dungun-born under his wings for about 17 years.
After Azizulhasni's fifth Olympics ended with heartache due to disqualification in the men's keirin event on Saturday, Beasley believes it is time for the 'Pocket Rocketman' to move to the next phase of his life.
"He has given 17 years of service to the country, it has been a long, distinguished career and I think now yeah, it's time to get on with the next chapter of his life. For me, I value his management, want to see him heading up the high performance sports in Malaysia in the next few years.
"Probably he will just enjoy riding keirin for the next two years, may be in Japan," he said.
Azizulhasni was disqualified in the men's keirin first round, first heat for passing the derny (an electric motorbike acting as a pacer) before it left the track, on Saturday. – BERNAMA