As the entire nation rejoiced and celebrated the success of our Paralympic contingent in Rio de Janeiro, the amazing folks at Malay Mail uncovered a heartbreaking story, that’ll make you ask plenty of questions.
P. Mariappan is a name that wouldn’t necessarily sound familiar to a lot of us, today. But the 58 year-old powerlifter is a seven-time Paralympian, who has won two Paralympic bronze medals for Malaysia.
He made his Paralympic Games debut in Seoul back in 1988, winning the bronze medal that year. Four years later in Barcelona, Mariappan retained the bronze medal, before going on to compete in another five editions of the Paralympic Games.
You’d think that a national hero of his caliber lives a comfortable post-retirement life today, but as Malay Mail’s May Robertson described, he lives in a ‘run-down flat with walkways that are wet, dimly-lit and reek of urine’. And according to the powerlifting legend, he feels forgotten these days.
“I feel used. I was discarded after having served this country for so long. I’ve accomplished a lot for Malaysia. An athlete’s time is limited. As soon as you retire, you are forgotten. I hope that won’t be the case for me and our new heroes,” he was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.
Mariappan worked as a tailor, before opting to become a professional powerlifting athlete. But despite representing Malaysia in some of the biggest competitions out there, he had to continue working as an ice-cream seller in Ampang.
Since retiring in 2012, life has been a lot more complicated for Mariappan, considering he has two kids in school and a son who’s on the verge of graduating. It’s also why he avoids going out and meeting people, including fans, these days.
“It’s embarrassing to go out because people somehow recognise me, and without fail they would ask me of my life as a retired athlete. All I can say is, I live a humble life.
“Back then I was signing autographs every day, I felt like I mattered. I don’t want to be forgotten. I’ve done a lot for this country I love,” he added.
As Malay Mail’s May Roberton aptly described through a post on her Facebook page: “This isn’t to throw anyone a pity party. There are plenty of other athletes who deserve the same recognition, but I am posting this merely to remember him, and his accomplishments.”
Thank you for shedding light on this, Malay Mail.
#NeverForget #AndaLuarBiasa #SokongAtletMalaysia
If you intend to financially help P. Mariappan, you can do so via direct transfer to his bank account, as included herewith
Mariappan A/L M Perumal
Malayan Banking Berhad (MAYBANK)
112558-108671
Other posts by FO Newsdesk
