PUTRAJAYA – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has urged local sports fans to be patient and supportive of athletes who were eliminated early at the Paris Olympics, rather than rushing to cast judgement.
The Games began on July 26 and Malaysia’s team of 26 athletes has gone down to 23.
Swimmers Khiew Hoe Yan and Tan Ruo Xin, as well as shooter Jonathan Wong, were among the first athletes to leave the competition.
Unsurprisingly, a handful of critics have irresponsibly suggested that the Youth and Sports Ministry should only send top athletes to such prestigious events.
The reality is that many of the athletes competing in the Paris Olympics have gone through a lengthy qualification process.
Some of them, like first-time Olympians Hoe Yan and Ruo Xin, secured their spots through wild card entries for the world’s biggest sporting event.
Therefore, Hannah said she believes it is unfair to dismiss these athletes – who have worked tirelessly throughout the qualification period – only to be denied the opportunity to compete in the Olympics simply because they are not deemed medal prospects for Malaysia.
“What we aim for is sports development when we send athletes to the Olympics. If an athlete has worked hard and qualified…(it) means you have a chance.
“These athletes have earned their place among the best in Malaysia, so they deserve our support. In sports, there is a 50% chance of winning a medal and a 50% chance your opponent might win, that’s the spirit of sportsmanship.
“We don’t want athletes who only think of themselves, that’s not the culture we want in sports. They must know how to win and handle defeat – that is more important.
“Both our swimmers received wild cards to compete in the Olympics, which gives them valuable experience. Getting a wild card is not easy either.
“When they get this opportunity, we must give them exposure. The swimmer (Rou Xin) is the youngest, and she came first in her heat. This experience is crucial for her.
“We never said we would only send medal prospects. Suddenly, this year, such suggestions arose.
“As I said, if we were to entertain every social media comment, it would be exhausting.
“We must be fair – if the athlete qualifies, they deserve support,” said Hannah, who was met at Menara KBS in Putrajaya today.
For this edition, Malaysia are participating in 10 sports, with high expectations for events such as badminton and track cycling to end the country’s 68-year wait for its first Olympic gold.
Malaysia’s badminton players have put on commendable performances, as two pairs have secured spots in the quarter-finals — men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik and mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei.
National track cyclist Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, along with his teammates Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nur Izzah Izzati Asri, will be joining the Malaysian contingent tomorrow.
They are currently at a training camp in Mallorca, Spain, and their events are scheduled to commence on August 5. – July 30, 2024