London, England: Medal-winners are not the only athletes in demand at the London Olympic Games. Just ask Haji Mohd Zamri Dato Paduka Haji Hamdani, Vice President of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council and Chef de Mission of the contingent here in London. He has been inundated with requests from the international media to interview 19-year-old track athlete Maziah Mahusin, the first female to represent Brunei at the Olympic Games, in the women’s 400 metres.

“She has been chased after since she came here,” said Dato Paduka Haji Hamdani, during a chat in the Olympic Village on Monday. “It seems that she is a celebrity in the Olympic Village. People are asking for comments and viewpoints after being selected as the first female athlete from Brunei in the Olympic Games.

“It is a good signal for Brunei and hopefully there will be more to come if given the opportunity. “I am very proud she broke the national record in front of 80,000 people. That is a great achievement for her.” The Chef de Mission explained that Maziah had a fever on her first day in London, suffering with flu and a cough, but recovered to race on Friday at the Olympic Stadium.

Brunei has three athletes in London, with two of them – Maziah and 200-metre freestyle swimmer Anderson Lim, 16, who trains in Florida – the recipients of Olympic Solidarity scholarships from the IOC. “I feel they have benefited a lot from the IOC scholarships and achieved good results,” added Dato Paduka Haji Hamdani.

“I am more than happy. I cannot ask for much more from them. Hopefully in the future, with more systematic and scientific training, I am sure they can elevate their level.” All three athletes have finished their competition but will stay in London until the closing ceremony on August 12 to show their support and solidarity for the Olympic Games and Olympic Movement.