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Azeem tuning up for Olympics like F1 car

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's fastest man Azeem Fahmi is fine tuning every part of his body like a Formula One car for the Paris Olympics.

This was stated by Malaysian Athletics Federation's Australian technical director John Ballard.

Azeem, who is turning into a sleek and powerful speed "man-chine", will not parade with the Malaysian contingent at the Olympics opening ceremony on July 27 in Paris.

The Asian Games bronze medallist, who holds the national 100m record of 10.09s, will instead focus on tuning his body to be in the best condition in his Olympics debut.

The 20-year-old speedster is leaving no stone unturned as he gears up for his Olympic debut.

Ballard said Azeem is training like at a Formula One car race.

"Azeem is going through all technical drills to stabilize his body and posture. He is also focusing more on leg strength to improve his speed.

"Azeem is fine tuning every part of his body like the chassis of a Formula One car as the car must be in good condition to get the results.

"I'm happy with his mental attitude towards training and he has such fine qualities as an athlete.

"He is a young athlete who has a desire to produce his best at the Paris Olympics. Azeem will continue to train another 10 days before we depart to Paris on the evening of July 28.

"Azeem, who is a seasoned traveller, has five days to acclimatise to the conditions in Paris before he runs in the 100m preliminary round on Aug 2 in the morning and 90 minutes later, it will be the heats."

Azeem, who is studying at Auburn University in Alabama, will also get help from his American coach Ken Harnden, who will be in Paris for the Olympics.

Azeem should clear the preliminary round, but his main challenge will be in the heats as he will be competing against some of the best sprinters in the world for a place in the semi-finals.

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