KUALA LUMPUR: Up-and-coming diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises is careful when it comes to managing pressure ahead of his Olympic debut at the Paris Games, which officially opened on Friday.
Rhodict, who will compete in the men's 10m platform individual in Paris, admitted that he does feel the pressure but at the same time is looking forward to competing in the world's most prestigious competition.
The 19-year-old is the only Malaysian diver to qualify on merit, doing so by reaching the final at the Fukuoka World Championships last year.
"All of those times, the hardship, all of the sacrifice that I've made, have become worth it because I qualified. I'm just super-excited that I'm going into the Olympics with a good mindset," said Rhodict on Friday.
"Pressure is definitely there but I will try not to think of it as it may ruin my mindset and performance.
"But at the end of the day, I am just super-excited but also nervous for my competition. Everyone has been telling me to enjoy the experience and everything.
"I definitely want to enjoy the experience. Bringing back a medal is also my goal."
The preliminaries for the 10m platform individual event will be held on Aug 9 at the Paris Aquatics Centre. If he qualifies, Rhodict will compete in the final a day later.
Malaysia Aquatics diving technical director Bryan Nickson Lomas said earlier this month that he is confident Rhodict has what it takes to advance to the final.
Malaysia will be represented by Nur Dhabitah Sabri in the women's diving competition in Paris.
She will compete in the 3m springboard individual event preliminaries on Aug 7.
The semi-finals will be held a day later, with the final on Aug 9.