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Muslim Olympic athletes are facing a dilemma ahead of the London Olympics, over whether they should observe the fasting month of Ramadan.

About 3,000 Muslim athletes will take part in the London Olympics which starts on July 27, a week into the month-long Ramadan fast.

Ramadan is a time when Muslims are required to abstain from food or drink during daylight hours.

But some athletes are concerned that could impact on their performance.

Malaysian Olympic cyclist Azizulhasni Awang has told Radio Australia he has decided to postpone his Ramadan fast until after the games.

Fast delayed

The athlete said: “I already have some reference from a scholar, and from an Islamic point of view if we cannot fast or we have some reason that we cannot fast in the month of Ramadan, we can redo it after Ramadan.

“In my situation, because I’m not fasting during the Olympic Games, I can redo it after the month of Ramadan.”

Two-time world championship silver medallist Azizulhasni says his focus is on winning gold in London.

He says there are some exceptions already granted in Islam for people fasting during Ramadan, and his Olympic commitments fall into that category.

“As a Muslim, we need to fast during Ramadan which is our holy month,” he said. “But when I step into world-class sport at the top level, I quite understand that it’s a little bit difficult if you want to fast during world competition days,” he said.

“I did try last time during training sessions, so we know what I can and cannot do, so for the Olympic Games. It’s really important for me, maybe I need to skip my fasting from there.”

Some Muslims preparing for competition at the games have decided to continue with their fast, saying their spirituality gives them strength.

Medical experts say theoretically a reduction of food intake during Ramadan could deplete an athlete’s liver and muscle glycogen stores.

Cycling coach John Beasely says those who choose to fast will feel the effects and they have to plan for that.

“We know the effect of fasting, and these guys predominantly lose about three kilograms of lean muscle mass over that month, and it takes a long time to replace that,” the coach said.

“The physical effect will certainly put them even more than 1 per cent behind, even in skill-based sports, if you’re not hydrated and you haven’t got the right nutrition you can’t perform at your best, so you are going to perform at a sub-standard.

“But if they feel like they need to do that because of their faith, then everyone’s got to respect that.”

SOURCE:Radio Australia News

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