Malaysian Islamic and Olympic officials said athletes from the predominantly Muslim country

Malaysian Islamic and Olympic officials said athletes from the predominantly Muslim country are excused from fasting for Ramadan while competing at the London Games.

The London Olympics which open Friday mark the first time the Summer Games will be held during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan since the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

During Ramadan, which began last weekend, Muslims are expected to abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn until sunset, when they break their fast with a meal known as Iftar.

But a senior member of the National Fatwa Council, Malaysia’s top religious authority, said athletes can postpone their fast until after the Games as they are competing at an international event for the nation’s honour.

Eleven out of the 30 Malaysian athletes going to London are Muslim.

One of Malaysia’s top medal prospects, cyclist Azizulhasni Awang, who won silver at the 2009 track cycling world championships, is among the athletes who will put off fasting, Malaysian media reported this week.

Sieh Kok Chi, secretary of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, also said Olympic athletes should not fast while competing.

Malaysia will compete in nine sports in London, with Muslims taking part in archery, cycling, shooting, sailing and track and field.

AND, Nur Suryani Taibi is also the first Malaysian woman rifle shooter to qualify for the Olympics, according to the New York Daily News, which is just as amazing as the fact that she’ll be competing just weeks before she’s due to deliver her baby.

Source AP