By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Thailand’s Athens Olympic games boxing bantamweight silver medalist Worapoj Petchkoom is being probed for appearing almost naked on the cover of a gay magazine “Stage” in Thailand.
The pictures have created a stir in Thailand but the boxer says he regards the images as “sporty” rather than obscene. But the tough head of Thailand’s Amateur Boxing Association, Gen. Taweep Jantararoj believes that national athletes should project a good image and has said he will investigate the matter.
Thai media reports claimed Worapoj said he doesn’t think it is a serious matter when he agreed to serve as a model for his friend at the magazine. It quoted the Olympic silver medalist as saying “It is just a magazine. They wanted images that show aspects of the sport, so I went to the shooting. And I did not show my manhood or anything, it is just muscles and biceps, which I consider quite sporty.”
Worapoj said his fans ”should not think about it too much, and they should not be worried either. I will not disgrace the reputation of the country and I am still ready to come back to serve the nation.”
Gen. Taweep said he had made it clear to all members of the national squad that they must uphold the good image of national athletes, especially when they are taking outside jobs or activities.
He said he would conduct an inquiry before deciding on what to do even as he said he couldn’t understand why Worapoj did it.
Worapoj is still a member of Thailand’s national squad although he has not been chosen to compete in the 2009 World Championships in Milan, Italy from September 1-12.
Worapoj beat the Philippines Joan Tipon in the 2007 World Championships in Chicago by a margin of 13-5.
