KUALA LUMPUR – All Malaysian athletes, regardless of whether they are part of the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, are welcome to make full use of Malaysia House throughout the Paris Olympics, which run from July 26 to August 11.
This includes independent shuttlers Goh Jin Wei, and Lee Zii Jia, who opted to sit out of the Sports Ministry’s top-up initiative last year.
A brainchild of three former internationals, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi, and Paris Olympics deputy chef de mission Datuk Nicol David, Malaysia House will be a one-stop support service centre for the Malaysian contingent, based at the Hampton Hotel in Paris.
Speaking to Scoop, Chong Wei, who is an RTG committee member, said the idea to have a “home away from home” stemmed from his own experience, having made four appearances at the world’s greatest sporting event.
While it may not seem like much to many, three-time Olympic silver medallist Chong Wei believes it is crucial for Malaysian athletes to have the best support service when competing in a major event far from home.
“I made my debut at the 2004 Athens Olympics; I don’t have many complaints from that one. Four years later, I had my best Olympic experience in Beijing. From the Games Village to the food and facilities, it was top-notch.
“The following two Olympics, in London and Rio de Janeiro, especially in Rio, we faced a lot of challenges.
“Due to security concerns, we were not allowed to leave the Athletes Village in Rio. The food was not the greatest, and we had to settle for the Maggi noodles we packed from home and the occasional McDonald’s, which we got our sparring partners to buy for us.
“On top of that, we also needed a place to just relax and take our minds off the stress.
“That is why, when we had our RTG meeting with YB Hannah Yeoh (youth and sports minister), I suggested Malaysia House. Not just for the Paris Games, but also for Los Angeles 2028.
“Regardless of the outcome, we need to start somewhere because other countries like South Korea, Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands have started this long ago,” said Chong Wei.
For the record, Malaysia House will be accessible to the Malaysian contingent round the clock, with a dedicated secretariat office based in the hotel.
The following are the services that will be offered at Malaysia House:
1. Accommodation and rented vehicle services for internal transit.
2. Operations secretariat office.
3. Treatment area for athletes requiring extra sports science and medical treatment.
4. Local Malaysian food and cuisine.
5. Rehabilitation service for athletes who may need additional physiotherapy, massage, physiology, ice baths, and other treatments.
6. A meeting point for athletes and coaches, as well as additional psychology services.
Separately, Chong Wei hopes the athletes can put their worries behind them and focus solely on performing their best at the Olympics.
“It doesn’t matter that athletes like Datuk Nicol, Mirnawan, and I never had Malaysia House in the past. Our time is behind us.
“The current batch of athletes should make full use of the benefits they have and give their best at the Games,” added Chong Wei.
The Malaysian contingent will be represented by 26 athletes who will be participating in 10 sports in Paris. – July 22, 2024