Olympic star Pandelela Rinong among seven Malaysian divers punished for drinking alcohol during China training camp
Reaction from netizens is mixed, with one calling for a lifetime ban and others feeling they should be able to party now and again
Already rocked by a sexual harassment scandal, Malaysian diving has come under the spotlight again after a video on social media appeared to show seven of their top athletes – including two-time Olympic medallist Pandelela Rinong – partying and drinking alcohol during a training camp in Guangzhou.
The reaction of Malaysian netizens has been mixed with at least one Facebook user calling for a lifetime ban on the seven, while others felt they were entitled to have some fun.
“If this is the way my taxpaying money is spent, I want no part of it,” wrote one netizen. “I don’t care if she’s an Olympic medallist, or if anyone in there could potentially bring sporting glory to Malaysia. These divers should be banned for life.”
Others were more accommodating.
“Nothing wrong done,” wrote one user. “They are entitled to enjoy themselves from time to time after their normal hectic schedule as athletes. Stop making a mountain out of a molehill.”