The Passing of Annie Choong OLY

The President, Executive Board and Management of the OCM express their deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Annie Choong OLY, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, 2nd November 2024, at the age of 90.

Annie Choong OLY was among the greatest athletes our country had ever produced in 1950s, excelling in Athletics, particularly in sprinting and long jump events. In addition, few may not know that she was also actively involving the motor racing in her younger days.

The OCM, formally known as the Federation of Malaya Olympic Council (FMOC), was founded in 1953 and recognised by the IOC as the National Olympic Committee of Malaya in 1954. Following this recognition, the FMOC coordinated its first-ever participation in a Multi-Sport Games at the 2nd Asian Games, held from 1st to 9th May 1954, in Manila, Philippines. Annie Chong OLY was a member of this pioneering Malayan Contingent of 10 members, 2 male officials and 8 athletes (4 male and 4 female). She competed in 2 events, achieving the following results:
1. Women’s 4x100m Relay – ranked 4th with a timing of 50.7s
2. Women’s Long Jump – ranked 6th with a distance of 5.01m

Two years later, in 1956, she was selected as a member of the first Malayan Contingent to participate in the Olympic Games at the XVI Olympic Games Melbourne 1956. She was the only female athlete in the Contingent, which comprised of 43 members, 9 male officials and 34 athletes (33 male and 1 female). She competed in the Women’s 100m event, finishing 4th in Round 1, Heat 5, with a timing of 12.73s.

Her historic participation in the XVI Olympic Games Melbourne 1956 earned her a place in the Malaysia Book of Records as the first female athlete of the Malayan Contingent to debut at the Olympics.

Annie Choong OLY was also a member of the Malayan Contingent participating in the 3rd Asian Games Tokyo 1958, where she competed in 2 events with the following results:
1. Women’s 100m – Final, ranked 6th with a timing of 12.9s
2. Women’s 200m – Heat 2, ranked 4th with a timing of 27.2s

For her outstanding contributions and achievements, Annie Choong OLY was inducted into the OCM Hall of Fame in 2017.

The OCM also presented her with a Certificate of Recognition from the World Olympians Association (WOA) on Friday, 12th April 2019, at her residence in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

“On behalf of the OCM, we mourn the passing of Annie Choong, the first female Olympian of our country”,

“Her active participation and achievements at the Asian Games and Olympic Games during the 1950s inspired and encouraged greater involvement of women in sports in our country”,

“Her last public appearance was at the Partnership Signing Ceremony between OCM and MILO Malaysia, held on Monday, 29th May 2023, where she had the honour of presenting the Malaysia Book of Records certificate to MILO Malaysia as the longest-standing corporate partner for the Olympic Movement in Malaysia”,

“The contributions of Annie Choong to the Olympic Movement in our country will always be fondly remembered by us” stated Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Mohamad Norza Zakaria, President of OCM and Vice President of OCA.