KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's fastest man Azeem Fahmi has admitted he will start as an underdog in the Paris Olympics.
"I'm actually an underdog. Nobody is expecting me to perform well in the Olympics.
"Nobody feels like I'm going to win the gold medal. I'm going to be myself and will give my best in the Olympics," said the 20-year-old Asian Games bronze medallist.
"I'm going to embrace my inner self to get the best results.
"I will stay relaxed and keep cool. I am focused 100 per cent for the Olympics.
"If I do my best, then it is not only for myself but also for the country," said Azeem, who holds the national 100m record of 10.09s.
His season best is only 10.24s (wind-assisted) in a competition in the United States this year. But Azeem hopes to be inspired by his Auburn University sprint teammate Kayinsola Ajayi of Nigeria, who clocked a scorching 10.00s to win the 100m gold at the Luzern Athletics meet in Switzerland a week ago.
"Ajayi only joined Auburn University early this year and in just a few months he managed to improve his personal best from 10.28 to 10 seconds.
Ajayi has improved his personal best six times this year and will be competing in the Paris Olympics.
"He has an impression on me and is a motivation for me to perform well in Paris," said Azeem after receiving a Mizuno training and racing attire for the Paris Olympics today.
"It is a good boost for the Olympics and I hope to work together with Mizuno in the future," said Azeem.