LETTERS: I urge Malaysians to fully support our athletes competing in the Paris Olympics starting July 26.
Some question whether this Olympics will be memorable. Actually, why not just rally behind our sports stars?
It is disheartening and disturbing to find negative comments about our athletes on social media.
Those who write "confirm kalah, balik awal" (will lose for sure, returning home soon) should be ashamed.
Look at India. One notices that their citizens residing in all parts of the world will unite and post positive comments whenever their athletes compete.
Sending ill-wishes to our athletes and putting laughing emojis on social media when they don't win is un-Malaysian.
This is not the Malaysia that I have known — caring and compassionate.
We should remember that every athlete has his or her struggles, which are not known to the public. Perhaps we need more influencers to address this issue.
Sports personalities like Datuk Nicol David, who is also the deputy chef de mission for the Olympics, will surely provide a valuable voice in supporting athletes.
We have a bundle of talent this time, including fourth-time Olympian Khairulnizam Afendy (sailing) and third-time Olympians Gavin Green (golf) and Nur Shazrin Latif (sailing).
Meanwhile, Azizulhasni Awang (cycling, a fifth-time Olympian), Lee Zii Jia (badminton) and others have pledged to be medal contenders.
Even if there is only a one per cent possibility, Malaysians should go all out to support them. That goes for the media too, in not publishing too many negative assessments of our athletes.
Avoid statements like "no hope for medals". Do not make statements that will affect the morale of the athletes, as if nobody is supporting them.
During the London Olympics 2012, Malaysians went all out to support our athletes and finalists.
In the Rio Olympics 2016, we saw a well-known personality praying in the arena when an athlete made it to the finals.
Let us also stop comparing the current athletes to their seniors, be they Lee Zii Jia, Sivasangari Subramaniam (squash), Shah Firdaus Sahrom (cycling), Azeem Fahmi and Shereen Samson Vallabouy (athletics).
These athletes are in a different era, trying to carve their unique career paths in a highly competitive sports world. Let's not cling to past glories but acknowledge that sports is evolving rapidly.
To be constantly compared is not a good thing for any human being. What more for an athlete?
Stop the culture of always praising for winning and condemning when losing.
Besides moral support, we need to assist our athletes financially to realise their fullest potential.
Nur Shazrin and Bertrand Rhodict (diving) are the first ones to qualify for the Paris Olympics, but the former is not in the Youth and Sports Ministry's Road To Gold (RTG) programme.
Is there sufficient funding? Shuttler Goh Jin Wei is putting on a brave front despite her ailment that only allows her to have one meal a day.
What kind of medical assistance is she getting?
What about retired para-athletes? Are they given financial aid? We should prioritise the welfare of our athletes, past or present.
So, come July 26, Malaysians should rally behind our athletes wholeheartedly. Show them our 100 per cent support and send them positive vibes.
The athletes are our ambassadors who put the national flag on their chests.
They deserve our highest respect, appreciation and support.
DR S. MATHANA AMARIS FIONA
Researcher
Puchong, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times