KUALA LUMPUR: Olympian S. Sabapathy died today in Seremban. He was 75.
Sabapathy was part of Malaysia's 4x400m team that ran in the 1972 Munich Olympics. The other members of the relay team were Babu Singhe Peyadesa, Mohamad Hassan Omar and Datuk T. Krishnan.
Sabapathy, who studied at St Paul Institution in Seremban, was bedridden for the last three weeks.
He won silver in the 200m at the 1973 Singapore Seap Games and gold in the 4x400m.
After retiring from athletics, Sabapathy coached athletes from Selangor and St Paul Institution.
Krishnan, who also ran in the 1968 Mexico Olympics, recalled his time with Sabapathy.
"Sabapathy was a jovial person and dedicated athlete. He knew how to convince people, especially athletes to train, not just sit and talk."
He said Sabapathy was from Seremban and his talent was spotted by former national hurdler Istiaq Mubarak's father, Mubarak Ahmad, who took him to the Selangor team in 1968.