By Syakir Nizam
After Euro 2016 ended successfully with France as the host of the event, this August will see the world focusing on another country, located in South America – Brazil. This country known for samba dance will be the host of 2016 Olympic Games with Rio de Janeiro being the next Olympic city after Beijing (2008) and London (2012).
The largest and oldest games in the world will gather almost 10,000 athletes from 207 nations that are qualified since qualification round that started from 2014. At this Olympics edition, Malaysia will participate in 10 sports events with 32 athletes representing the country and all participants are Malaysians.
Here are five important facts that you need to know about Malaysia’s participation in the coming Olympic games.
1.Malaysians still await for the First Gold
Malaysia is still searching for the first gold after participating in this games since 1954. The best achievement was during Olympic Games in London (2012) where Malaysia secured one silver and one bronze medal repeating the achievement during Atlanta in 1996. Lee Chong Wei gained the silver medal after losing the epic battle against Lin Dan in the final badminton men single. Next, Pandalela Rinong made Malaysia proud during the London edition of the game after becoming the first woman athlete to gain the medal in history. This history was created by her after winning a bronze medal in diving (10-meter platform events) with the total score of 359.20. For this year, both of them have become the target to secure first gold for Malaysia.
2.Three sports became the main target to secure medal
Diving, badminton and cycling have been shortlisted by Malaysia Sport Council (source: Berita Harian) as the main sports that have potential to gain any colour of medal for Malaysia for this edition. This observation is based on past achievement of these sports in the previous edition of Olympics. Other than that, diving and badminton top participation of athletes for this year’s events. Five sensation divers such as Pandalela Rinong and Oi Tze Liang will represent Malaysia in diving that will be held at Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre. Other than that, eight badminton players will represent Malaysia in every category and it gives hope to gain the medal.
3.Sensation Diver became the first  Malaysian athlete to qualify for Rio 2016 Olympics
In July 2015, the sensation diver of Malaysia, Pandalela Rinong became the first athlete who qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics. Pandalela qualified after securing rank 8Â in the 10-metre platform during semi-finals at the final World Aquatics Championship Kazan 2015. Her achievement during semi-final made her not just qualified for final world championship but also secured a place for the Rio 2016 Olympics. A little brief about Pandalela, on the world championship, she secured bronze on her favourite event, 10-metre platform.
4.Golf comeback after 100 years
A little brief about the history of golf in this Olympic edition, this leisure sports had been on the Olympic programme only twice; first, in 1900 and second, in 1904. The first golf event was held at Paris Olympics 1900 and the last event in 1904 at St. Louis Olympics. So, for the first time after over 100 years, the International Olympic Council has agreed to set golf as one of the sports programmes in Rio. For Malaysian contingent, we are proud to have representatives who will compete in two categories: individual men and individual women. The golf athletes who qualified to Rio 2016 Olympics are Danny Chia, Gavin Kyle Green, Kelly Tan and Michelle Koh. They qualified by merit after standing among top 60 best golf players in the world.
5.32 Athletes will bear Malaysia flag
Unlike London (2012) where Malaysia had 29 competitors in 9 sports and ended rank 63 with one silver and one bronze, this year, Malaysia will present its best among the best of 32 athletes in 10 sports. In the list are: Khairul Anuar Mohamad and Muhammad Ikram Joni (Archery), Nauraj Singh and Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli (athletics), Phee Jing En, Welson Sim and Heidi Gan (swimming), Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Goh V Shem, Tan Wee Kiong, Chan Peng Soon, Goh Liu Ying, Tee Jing Yi, Vivian Hoo dan Woon Khe Wei (badminton); Johnathan Wong Guanjie (shooting), Mohd Hafifi Mansor (weighlifting), Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, Fatehah Mustapa (cycling); Ooi Tze Liang, Cheong Jun Hoong, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Pandelela Rinong, Ng Yan Yee (diving); Khairulnizam Mohd Affendy, Nur Shazrin Latiff (sailing). Four golf players, Danny Chia, Gavin Kyle Green, Kelly Tan and Michelle Koh, will represent the country and give their best to all Malaysians.
Last but not least, for this edition, we hope the Malaysian contingent will give their best performance to realise the hope of a first gold for the country. We want to hear our national anthem being played for the first time at Rio.
Good luck Malaysiaku. Malaysia Boleh! ***