KUALA LUMPUR – Being the only national diver to qualify for the Paris Olympics this year, Bertrand Rhodict Lises should be already included in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme.
Paris Olympics chef de mission Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said he would strongly recommend the diver’s inclusion in the programme after seniors Datuk Pandelela Rinong, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Ng Yan Yee and Ooi Tze Liang failed to qualify for the Summer Games.
“I have already discussed this matter with Bertrand and I will recommend him for the RTG programme. This is because he is only 19-years-old and has the potential to go for two or three more Olympics.
“The RTG programme is not only for Paris but also for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“Bertrand’s current ranking is 12th and he has the mental strength to improve further and better. When I look at him, I know that he is so focused,” Hamidin said after visiting diver Bertrand and shooter Johnathan Wong’s training camps at the National Sports Council today.
However, Hamidin added that the final decision would be made by the RTG committee co-chaired by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria.
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Meanwhile, Bertrand said it would be a privilege to be included in the high-performance programme.
‘I’m still young and I believe that I can push further to compete with others at the Olympics.
“If I’m included in the RTG programme, it would be easier for me to get the things that I (would need in order to improve), rather than not being in the programme.
“I just hope that I can qualify for the programme. I hope for the best,” he said.
At the same time, Bertrand said he would embark on an overseas training stint on March 14 to prepare for Paris.
“I have requested to be in Britain as it is close to Paris. I will be in London training with the Britain team.
“I need to learn new dives with a higher level of difficulty, so that I can achieve higher scores and at the same time, improve my rankings,” he added. – February 22, 2024