PARIS — Malaysian chef de mission (CDM) to the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Datuk R. Subramaniam, has taken full responsibility for the national contingent’s failure to meet their four-gold target.
Subramaniam said he accepted their haul of two golds, two silvers, and one bronze with an open heart.
“We were brave enough to declare a target of four golds based on our assessment before heading to Paris 2024.
“Our athletes did not give up when the Games began. It’s just that their opponents were much better,” he told Malaysian sportswriters when met outside the Games Village here last night.
He pointed to long jump ace Datuk Abdul Latif Romly as an example. Latif believed he had secured his third consecutive T20 (intellectual impairment) category gold after clearing 7.45m.
However, Matvei Iakushev, competing under the Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA) banner, snatched the gold with a last-minute leap of 7.51m, ending Romly’s streak since Rio 2016.
Subramaniam suggested the contingent may have underestimated their rivals, leading to near-misses like Latif’s and Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli’s silver in the men’s shot put F20 (intellectual impairment) event, where Ukrainian Oleksandr Yarovyi claimed gold.
“Maybe, Ziyad’s competitor has improved so much. So, perhaps we underestimated the other competitors. If you are going to a competition, you must know the opponent,” he said.
Malaysia’s two gold medals came from para shuttler Cheah Liek Hou in the men’s singles SU5 (physical impairment) and powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin in the men’s 72kg event.
The bronze was earned by sprinter Eddy Bernard in the men’s 100m T44 (physical impairment) category.
Subramaniam, who is also the Paralympic Association of Malaysia (PCM) secretary-general, emphasised the need for a radical overhaul of the sports ecosystem, focusing on nurturing para-athletes from the grassroots.
He said discussions on these changes must involve stakeholders such as the PCM, National Sports Council (NSC), relevant associations, and the athletes themselves.
“Awareness about Paralympics is increasing in other countries. Previously, they didn’t pay much attention, but now they are showing interest and investing as much as possible.
“So, we cannot just sit and think that our exciting days (of winning gold medals) will be there forever. We have to do something and make some (drastic) changes,” he said.
Malaysia’s medal tally at the Paris Games showed a decline in golds compared to the three golds earned at both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, which began on August 28, concluded yesterday with a closing ceremony at the Stade de France at 8:30pm local time (2:30 am Malaysian time). — September 9, 2024