KUALA LUMPUR: With decades of collective investment in developing sports, Malaysia stand on the brink of a historic achievement as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approach.
The City of Love may prove to be a pivotal moment for Malaysia's 26-member contingent, who are eager to make their mark and secure the nation's first Olympic gold medal.
However, the journey to Paris is fraught with challenges, and there is a possibility that Malaysia might not win a medal for the first time since returning empty-handed from Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.
Such an outcome would be disappointing, given the significant resources and support invested in the athletes.
However, having the smallest contingent in recent times does not imply that Malaysian athletes will not make an impact in Paris.
While the size of the contingent may be modest, the team possess some of the best athletes in the world who could beat anyone on their day.
In the history of the Summer Games, 111 nations, including former states and coalitions, have won Olympic gold medals. The numbers show how competitive it is to win at the Olympics.
To date, six Southeast Asian nations have earned Olympic medals. Thailand lead with a commendable tally of 10 gold, 8 silver and 17 bronze medals, followed by Indonesia (8-14-15), the Philippines (1-5-8), Singapore (1-2-2), Vietnam (1-3-1) and Malaysia (0-8-5).
Malaysia's most successful campaign was recorded at Rio 2016, winning four silver (three from badminton and one from diving) and one bronze (cycling).
The quest for an Olympic title has intensified with each successive Games, and many believe that a Malaysian athlete could finally realise the nation's dream in Paris.
The government, through the Youth and Sports Ministry and its associated agencies, alongside the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), has been proactive in providing the best possible support for the athletes.
This support includes not only training and preparation, but also financial incentives designed to motivate and reward Olympic success.
Under the standard National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam), a gold medal at the Olympics is worth RM1 million, a silver RM300,000, and a bronze RM100,000, not forgetting the pension scheme for athletes.
In addition to this monetary reward, the athlete who secures Malaysia's first-ever Olympic gold medal will receive a serviced apartment worth RM1 million in Setia Alam.
Moreover, three shuttlers — Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik and Chen Tang Jie — stand to gain an additional RM1 million in cash as part of the SS Junior Badminton Talent Scholarship Programme, supported by Sengheng.
Medal winners will also be awarded Chery SUVs, further adding to the incentives for the athletes.
The government's push for corporate sponsorship reflects a strategic effort to further enhance the motivation and preparation of Malaysia's top athletes.
As the Paris Games approach, Malaysia's contingent, the smallest since Athens 2004, will be depending on badminton and cycling for medals.
In the previous editions, from Beijing 2008 to Tokyo 2020, diving was also a medal hope, but it is no longer a contender due to retirements and poor planning.
Badminton has won nine out of Malaysia's 13 Olympic medals, with the now-retired Lee Chong Wei being the most successful, winning three silver medals.
Cycling and diving have contributed two medals each.
Many have picked men's singles Lee Zii Jia, former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang as the contenders to win the nation's first Olympic gold.
Zii Jia's preparation has been notably discreet, with his camp maintaining a low profile even during pre-departure media engagements at KLIA.
This silence could be a strategic move to minimise pressure, though it remains to be seen whether it will prove advantageous.
A normally plump Aaron is now lean and fit for the Olympics, and the scribe believes he and Wooi Yik will be on the Olympic podium for the second consecutive time in Paris.
Aaron-Wooi Yik may not always be successful, but they have achieved what other shuttlers have not — winning the country's first badminton world title in 2022.
Azizulhasni is the most talked-about Malaysian athlete in regard to winning the country's first Olympic title.
Equipped with the latest version of the WX-R Vorteq bike worth RM385,800, Azizulhasni will be on a mission in the keirin and sprint events in Paris.
Even a heart doctor is part of the contingent comprising 26 athletes and 40 officials to ensure Azizulhasni's heart is monitored at all times for the mission.
Azizulhasni, 36, has been in decent form since undergoing open heart surgery to correct a coronary artery anomaly in 2022.
Does he still have the legs to finish on the top of the podium? It will only be answered in Paris.
Other athletes such as Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Aniq Kasdan definitely have the pedigree to go far in Paris.
However, for the rest, including sprinter Azeem Fahmi, medals might be out of reach, but they should fight hard and aim to rewrite the national records in their respective fields.
Despite an Olympic gold being a target, there is a risk Malaysia could return empty-handed from Paris.
This scenario would not be ideal for Malaysian sports, considering the millions spent on helping these athletes win medals.
As the Games approach, the collective hope is that Malaysia's athletes will rise to the occasion, fulfilling their potential and contributing to a proud chapter in the nation's Olympic history.
Malaysia will start their Olympic campaign tomorrow in the women's recurve ranking qualifying round. The event will determine the rankings of archers for the individual and team events.