Jegathesan Manikavasagam (born 2 November 1943), is often referred to as the ''Flying Doctor of Malaysia'' for his athletic achievements in

Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an are ...

, despite being firstly a medical student then a doctor. He was an icon in the 1960s, regarded as the "Golden Era" of

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

n 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 ...

. 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 Olympic Council of Malaysia, or commonly OCM or MOM, ( ms, Majlis Olimpik Malaysia, IOC code: MAS) is the National Olympic Committee representing Malaysia. It is also the body responsible for Malaysia's representation at the Commonwealth Games. H ...

(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

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

Commonwealth Games

At the Kingston

Commonwealth Games The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games or simply the Comm Games, are a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exce ...

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, Dr Jega said it was a great honour, to serve his country. "But in whatever capacity, being part of the

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 The modern Olympic Games or Olympics (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques) are the leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a vari ...

, namely

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

(1960),

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and List of cities in Japan, largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, ...

(1964) and

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(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 The Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm ( ms, Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara) is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country. The Order Motto are 'Dipeliharakan Allah-Pangkuan Negara' (By the Grace ...

(A.M.N.) (1966) * : Officer of the

(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 ...

(J.S.M.) (1991) * : Commander of the

Order of Meritorious Service The Distinguished Order of Meritorious Service ( ms, Darjah Yang Mulia Jasa Negara) is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country. It should not be confused with the Order of Merit The Order of Merit (french: ...

(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