Gold within reach if we raise the bar

AS the Paris Olympics wind down, this edition of the games has been marked by achievements and unexpected turns.

One of the most surprising highlights was Zheng Qinwen's triumph in tennis.

As the first Asian-born player to secure a gold medal in the sport, Zheng's victory not only marks a personal achievement, but also brings a new level of visibility to Asian talent in the game.

The Philippines also made history with Carlos Yulo, who become the first male gymnast to win a double gold at the Olympics.

Yulo's performance exemplifies the high level of skill and determination present in the gymnastics arena, setting a new benchmark for future Filipino athletes.

Only five of the 11 participating Asean countries have captured gold medals: Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore.

This success underscores the competitive nature of the games and highlights the regional prowess that has emerged.

One might predict that Indonesia will win more medals in the future, given the country's progress in many respects.

Since 1956, Malaysian athletes at the Olympics have brought home 15 medals, including two bronze medals from Paris 2024.

This places Malaysia in a respectable position, but the elusive gold medal remains a challenge.

The nation's best Olympic performance came during the Rio 2016 Games, where Malaysia secured four silver medals and one bronze. But why does Malaysia always find itself chasing the gold medal?

For Malaysia, the quest for gold continues to be a symbol of national pride and sporting ambition.

While the country has made strides in badminton and cycling, it is no longer a powerhouse in field hockey. Where should our focus be?

A closer examination reveals several factors at play.

FIRST, the development of elite athletes requires a combination of robust training programmes, world-class facilities and substantial financial support.

SECOND, countries with a rich sporting infrastructure and a long history of Olympic success often have the upper hand, benefiting from established systems and resources dedicated to athlete development.

THIRD, investment in state-of-the-art technology for sports excellence is no guarantee of gold medals.

How do we explain the fact that poorer and war-torn countries can also achieve great success despite their disadvantages?

FOURTH, at the highest level of competition, mental resilience and competitive experience play crucial roles in achieving Olympic success.

Athletes who have competed and triumphed in high-pressure situations often have an edge over their peers.

Thus, fostering an environment that supports mental strength and prepares athletes for the rigours of international competition is vital.

Our Olympians are no longer just jaguh kampung. We need to raise the bar for all athletes to perform at their very best.

So it is essential to reflect on these successes and challenges with a forward-thinking approach.

Embracing a data-driven strategy, investing in athlete development and learning from global best practices can pave the way for Malaysia to secure gold medals at the Los Angeles Olympics and beyond.

With determination and execution of a well-crafted plan by stakeholders (government agencies and sports associations), the quest for gold remains within reach.

It would certainly be an icing on the cake for this Merdeka month if our Datuk Azizulhasni Awang delivers Malaysia's first-ever Olympic gold.

Terima Kasih, Team Malaysia.