KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s chef de mission to the Paris Olympics, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, sees the nation’s contingent as greatly in need of a stroke of luck in their quest for the country’s first gold medal at the world’s largest sporting event in July.
For Hamidin, Malaysia should have ended that wait in the two previous editions of the Olympics, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, but the outstanding performances of the country’s athletes were still not enough to clinch the elusive gold.
Malaysia have been waiting for their first Olympic gold medal since debuting in the 1956 edition in Melbourne, Australia, a span of 68 years.
“If we were destined to win the gold medal, we should have secured it at the Rio Olympics, where three of our badminton representatives reached the finals,” said Hamidin.
“Similarly, at Tokyo 2020, Datuk Azizulhasni (Awang) came very close to bringing home the country’s first gold medal, but once again luck was not on our side.
“So this time, with meticulous preparations by every athlete, including Datuk Azizulhasni who will be making his fifth appearance at the Olympics, I truly hope luck will be on our side.”
In Rio, Malaysia brought home four silver medals contributed by badminton players Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the men’s singles, men’s doubles Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying; and diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong.
Track cyclist Azizulhasni also contributed a bronze medal in 2016, and five years later in Tokyo, he came close to winning gold but was defeated by the peculiar tactics of Great Britain’s Jason Kenny in the final race of the keirin.
Currently, 18 athletes from seven sports have confirmed their places in Paris, including Azizulhasni who will make his final appearance at the Olympics.
Therefore, when Azizul announced his desire to pursue a gold medal in Paris once again, Hamidin praised the courage of the 36-year-old cyclist, despite his recent recovery from heart disease.
“For me, he (Azizul) is brave and shows great confidence, which should be an example for other athletes in setting goals at the Olympics.
“It is not impossible for him to win the gold medal. If he can give his best on the competition day and all factors align in his favour, who knows, we might end this wait?” he added. – May 9, 2024