The Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) has issued a formal request to the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) to address technical issues that disrupted the athletics finals on Friday, December 12th. The issue, which affected the timing system, has raised concerns about the integrity of the competition and the athletes' performances.
In a letter to SEAGF, SNOC Secretary-General Mark Chay expressed deep concern over the reported failure of the timing system, which impacted the recorded timings of athletes. This technical glitch resulted in the inability to recognize the national records set by Kerstin Ong and Ang Chen Xiang, who achieved personal best performances in the women's and men's 110m hurdles, respectively.
The SNOC spokesperson confirmed that the issue affected the statistical integrity of the results, emphasizing that the athletes' placings remain valid but their recorded timings cannot be used for statistical purposes. This has led to a call for immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure fair competition standards.
Mr. Chay's letter highlights the 'grave concern' over the matter, as it has implications for record recognition, qualification for major events, and world rankings. He stresses the importance of upholding the integrity of the competition and the athletes' efforts, which have been undermined by the technical failure.
The SNOC has requested an official statement from SEAGF, outlining the steps to resolve the issue and reaffirming their commitment to fair competition. Additionally, Mr. Chay has called on SEAGF to provide clear guidance to National Olympic Committees regarding the impact on athletes' qualifications and rankings.
This incident has sparked discussions about the reliability of technical systems and the need for robust protocols to prevent similar issues in future SEA Games editions. The SNOC emphasizes the urgency of addressing technical failures to maintain the standards expected of the prestigious event, which celebrates sportsmanship and excellence.
