KUALA LUMPUR: Being chosen as one of Malaysia's flag-bearers at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony has inspired diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises to aim for success in Paris.
Though Bertrand will be making his Olympic debut, the 19-year-old has vowed to make a splash by finishing as high as he can in the men's 10m platform at the Aquatics Centre in Saint Denis.
"Aiming to reach the final has always been my goal, but if everything goes well, I hope to finish in the top six," he told Bernama on Saturday.
The Sarawakian, who is in Australia for a training camp, said the news of him being the flag-bearer during the opening ceremony came as "no surprise."
"I think it was expected because diving is among the first events to kick off in Paris," he said.
The 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11, with diving scheduled to start on July 27.
On Monday, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) named Bertrand and sailor Nur Shazrin Latif as Malaysia's flag-bearers at the Games.
OCM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, in a statement, said the two athletes represent the makeup of the Malaysian contingent, comprising both debutants and seasoned campaigners.
"While Bertrand is picked by virtue of being a debutant, Nur Shazrin is an experienced athlete who will be making her third appearance. In celebrating the future, we embrace the present," Norza said.
Bertrand is the fourth Sarawakian to be given such an honour, after Kuda Ditta (athletics) in Rome 1960, Bryan Nickson Lomas (diving) in Athens 2004, and Pandelela Rinong (diving) in London 2012.
Nur Shazrin is the first sailor to be handed the honour of carrying the flag during the opening ceremony at the Olympics.
The Paris Games opening ceremony will be held on the Seine River, with boats carrying the athletes for each national delegation.
The parade will end its six-kilometre route in front of the Trocadero, where the remaining elements of Olympic protocol and final shows will take place. — Bernama