An insolvency notice was published by the Borneo Post on Friday declaring Watson, 40, a bankrupt, a press report said.

Sprint champion Watson became known as the “Flying Dayak” when he set a Malaysian record of 10.3sec in 1998 at the national amateur athletics championships. The record still stands.

Watson works with the Sarawak Sports Council as an athletics coach in Miri, his hometown. He said he could not settle the loan because of his low pay.

He had sought the help of a senior state minister two years ago but had heard nothing since. Interest payments due on the RM80,000 loan had brought his debts to about RM100,000. “I have to pay other bills as well,” he said according to Malay Mail Online.

Watson’s wife Phyliss is also a coach, and runs the Flying Dayak Club which also trains athletes for the Paralympics.