A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

Ex-SEA Games sprint medallist is CDM for 2026 Winter Olympics

- Kimberly Kwek

During his time as an athlete, former national sprinter Amirudin Jamal experienced first-hand the thrill of competing and winning medals at major international meets such as the SEA, Asian and Commonwealth Games.

But, for the 38-year-old, those experiences pale in comparison to the excitement he feels in his role as chef de mission for Team Singapore at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.

The Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) announced his appointment on Feb 3, ahead of the Feb 6-22 Milano-Cortina Games, where the Republic will be represented by alpine skier Faiz Basha.

Faiz is just the second Singaporean to qualify for the Games, after short track speed skater Cheyenne Goh, who competed at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

The University of Strathclyde undergraduate is also the country's first snow sports representative at the quadrennial event.

On his appointment, Amirudin said: "Personally, I feel that it's more exciting because now I get to see the next generation taking off and it's not just my sport now.

"I get to see athletes taking part in a variety of sports and all the more when they make great strides in the areas we've never seen previously.