KUALA LUMPUR – Now that the Tokyo Olympics is done and dusted, it is time to look back at Malaysia’s performances at the Games.
Malaysia did not achieve the target of three medals set by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which included the elusive gold medal, but Tokyo 2020 will not be the worst Olympic outing by the contingent.
Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria told The Vibes that Tokyo 2020 will be the second-best achievement after Rio 2016, further adding it equalled London 2012, where Malaysia also won one silver and a bronze medal.
“We did not achieve the target set for us, but Tokyo won’t come down as the worst outing. Our achievement is like London 2012.
“Considering the pandemic, our athletes have done fairly well. The athletes not only had to ensure their physical condition but also the mental strength. Training under restrictions was a lot to take in,” he said.
However, Norza believes that in terms of administration, it was a success for the OCM as all the logistics, safety and well-being of the athletes were executed well.
“When it comes to medal targets for athletes, it is decided by the Ministry because they fund the training programmes for the athletes and decide on these things, but when it comes to dealing with the Olympic Organising Committee, International Olympic Council (IOC) and the relevant authorities, it is OCM’s responsibility, and I think we have done well in that area.
“Safety and well-being of the athletes in Tokyo was paramount and we made sure everything went smoothly. Malaysia were a Category Two country due to the Covid situation and it was not easy to get the athletes training sessions as we had to have many meetings, discussions with the organising committee to make sure our athletes had proper training sessions at the right times.
“Not many people know the administration work that had to be arranged for all the participating athletes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said this Olympics was different because it was held during unprecedented times and it was not easy in the last year, since the Games were postponed.
“Although, we did not meet our target the silver medal won by Azizulhasni Awang is like winning the gold because of the situation we are in.
“We did not do bad as we equalled our London 2012. Malaysia finished 74 out of 206 countries in the medal standings with one silver and one bronze medals.
“Since 1992 in Barcelona, only in two Olympics have we not won any medals, in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. We have managed to win medals at all the other Games. Our best is of course Rio 2016 with five medals.
“The mission to win our elusive gold medal is not over and we will continue this journey in Paris in three years time. Out of the 30 participating athletes, 13 were first-timers and this will be the stepping stone for them for the next Olympics.
“I believe that athletes such diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri, badminton doubles pair Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik and singles ace Lee Zii Jia will come good in Paris.
“I believe the performances by our athletes in Tokyo was satisfying,” he told Astro Arena in an interview in Tokyo.
He said that, moving forward, a special Olympic programme will be launched for the athletes.
“We need to have a dedicated programme for the Olympics and not the current Podium programme. We will launch it soon and work together with the OCM, National Sports Council and the various sports associations.
“We will also expand the role of OCM to be the real partner of the Ministry. They will also look into the special programmes for multi-event sports such as the SEA Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics,” he said. – The Vibes August 9, 2021
