FOR 68 years, Malaysian athletes have been trying to win the country's first ever Olympic gold since the 1956 Melbourne Games.
The question on everyone's mind is whether any of the national 26 athletes featuring in nine sports at the Olympics which begin in Paris this Saturday, will be able to win the elusive gold.
Three-time Olympian Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan pointed out that several Southeast countries (Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore) have already won Olympic gold.
"But Malaysia has yet to win an Olympic gold. We have won silver and bronze medals, but we are desperate to win our first Olympic gold since making our first appearance in 1956.
"By competing in the Olympics, it shows that our athletes are among the best in the world, and they should defy the odds and deliver.
"Nothing is impossible to achieve if you give your best by performing to the highest level of your career.
"We have world class athletes, and they can match the best in the world. I'm confident that they can deliver at the biggest sporting event in the world.
"And by winning gold in the Olympics, Malaysia can prove that we, too, have the best athletes in the world.
"By winning gold, it will be the proudest moment and biggest achievement for Malaysia in sports. It will be the turning point for Malaysian sports.
"Our athletes have trained hard and they are physically and mentally in good shape to perform.
"It's all about psychology on how you face your opponent and beat him," said Jegathesan, who used to rule as Asia's No. 1 sprinter.
"For those featuring in the Olympics for the first time, they should go all out to improve their personal best or break national records," said the 80-year-old Jegathesan, who was only 16 when he raced in the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Jegathesan qualified for the men's 200m semi-finals twice, in the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico Olympics.
Dr Jegathesan said sprinter Azeem Fahmi, who will be making his Olympic debut in Paris, has not performed to expectations in competitions this year.
"Azeem is not in the league of the top 10 sprinters in the world, who have been clocking below 10 seconds consistently in competitions.
"Azeem, however, should go all out to break his national 100m record of 10.09s for a memorable Olympic debut," added Dr Jegathesan.