KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has called on the 26 athletes representing the country at the 2024 Paris Olympics to show their true strength when facing their opponents at the Games, which start tomorrow and run until August 11.
She said that in sports, there will always be someone who triumphs over others, and therefore, she did not want the Malaysian athletes to leave the ‘arena’ feeling disappointed for not giving their best.
“What we want is to set a target where the whole country is moving towards the same goal, which is why we announced our aim to win the first gold. Now, the entire contingent, all agencies, the Olympic Council of Malaysia, athletes, and coaches all have the same goal. We want to bring home one gold medal.
“But this is sports, which means when we enter the arena, there is a percentage of winning or losing. However, what I want our athletes to do is give their best so that when they leave the arena, they have no regrets. That is all,” Yeoh said on Bernama TV’s talk show “Misi D’OR 2024” tonight.
Meanwhile, concerning national track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, she said has full respect for the confidence shown by the Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist, describing the 36-year-old cyclist as ‘thirsty’ for a gold medal at the quadrennial event.
A heart specialist will accompany Azizulhasni following the agreement of the Road to Gold Committee to ensure he feels safe while competing at the Games.
“Earlier this year, I was in Australia with the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and had the opportunity to visit Mohd Azizulhasni at his training venue. He showed us his ecosystem in Australia.
“I am happy because I heard from Mohd Azizulhasni himself that his preparations were going well and that he was feeling confident,” she said, adding that she will leave for Paris on July 31.
Previously, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation set a target of one gold medal in Paris 2024, in line with Azizulhasni’s dream of ending his Olympic participation with a gold.
The Malaysian contingent comprises 26 athletes, led by chef-de-mission Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin and his deputy Datuk Nicol David, and will compete in nine sports at the Games.
— Bernama
