Jegathesan Manikavasagam (born 2 November 1943), is often referred to as the ''Flying Doctor of Malaysia'' for his athletic achievements in Asia, despite being firstly a medical student then a doctor. He was an icon in the 1960s, regarded as the "Golden Era" of Malaysian athletics. In his hey day, he was regarded as the fastest man in Asia. He served the government health service for 32 years including the posts of Director of the Institute for Medical Research and Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia Jegathesan is a Medical Researcher; and was appointed Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Medical Commission and honorary Medical Advisor for the

2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games The 2006 Commonwealth Games, officially the XVIII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Melbourne 2006 (Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm 2006'' or ''Naarm 2006''), was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth held i ...

. He served as Chairman of the Medical Council, and the Anti-Doping Commission of the Olympic council of Asia. He also served as the Deputy President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

Sports Involvement

Asian Games

In 1966, he earned the accolade of being the fastest man in Asia by winning three gold medals at the Bangkok

Asian Games The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation (AGF) from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until t ...

in the 100 m, 200 m and 4 × 100 m Men's Relay events.

Commonwealth Games

At the Kingston Commonwealth Games in 1966, Dr Jega became the first Malaysian to qualify for the final of the 220-yard (now the 200 m) race. Dr Jegathesan was not only an accomplished athlete, doctor and researcher, but held important responsibilities as Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Medical Commission and honorary Medical Advisor for the

. In an interview with the

New Straits Times The ''New Straits Times'' is an English-language newspaper published in Malaysia. It is Malaysia's oldest newspaper still in print (though not the first), having been founded as ''The Straits Times'' on 15 July 1845. It was relaunched as the ' ...

, Dr Jega said it was a great honour, to serve his country. "But in whatever capacity, being part of the Commonwealth Games in itself keeps the adrenaline pumping as it brings back fond memories," he said.

Olympic Games

Dr Jega has competed in three consecutive Olympic Games, namely Rome (1960), Tokyo (1964) and Mexico (1968). He qualified for two 200m semi-finals and the national record he set in 1968 (20.92s) stood for 49 years until it was broken in 2017.

Honours

Honours of Malaysia

* : Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (A.M.N.) (1966) * : Officer of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (K.M.N.) (1979) * : Companion of the

Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia The Most Esteemed Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia ( ms, Darjah Yang Mulia Setia Mahkota Malaysia) is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country and awarded by the sovereign. The order was instituted on ...

(J.S.M.) (1991) * : Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (P.J.N.) (1998) * : Commander of the

(P.S.M.) (2010)

References

External links

*
Sports Reference
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jegathesan, Mani 1943 births Living people People from Kuala Kangsar Malaysian male sprinters Olympic athletes of Malaya Olympic athletes of Malaysia Athletes (track and field) at the 1960 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 1964 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 1968 Summer Olympics Asian Games gold medalists for Malaysia Asian Games silver medalists for Malaysia Asian Games bronze medalists for Malaysia Medalists at the 1962 Asian Games Medalists at the 1966 Asian Games Asian Games medalists in athletics (track and field) Athletes (track and field) at the 1962 Asian Games Athletes (track and field) at the 1966 Asian Games Commonwealth Games competitors for Malaysia Athletes (track and field) at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games Malaysian medical doctors Malaysian people of Tamil descent Malaysian people of Indian descent Members of the Order of the Defender of the Realm Officers of the Order of the Defender of the Realm Companions of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia Commanders of the Order of Meritorious Service Commanders of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia