Your best has no place in the Olympics, says Josiah

National track cyclist Josiah Ng showing a thumbs up sign after competing in the men's keirin second round - heat 1 at the Incheon International Velodrome yesterday. IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. September 25, 2014.

PETALING JAYA: Don’t just do your best in Rio. Instead, embrace the Olympics and produce something out of the extraordinary!

That’s the message from former Olympic track cyclist Josiah Ng.

“It’s not called ‘The greatest show on earth’ for nothing,” Josiah said.

The lack of mental strength has been a major factor in Malaysian athletes’ tendency to under-perform in major meets despite the best preparations. 

A good example being swimmer Phee Jinq En and shooter Johnathan Wong, who were so overwhelmed by the occasion that they failed to perform to the best of their abilities in Rio. 

A Malaysian athlete had sought Josiah’s advice, stating that he was struggling to get the desired results despite being in great physical shape.

Josiah shared his advice on how Malaysian athletes in Rio should block off any self-doubt from their minds.

“The Olympics can be such an amazing collection of experiences. Embrace it. Don’t do your best, Your best is what you do at all other competitions.

“This is an extraordinary event. Something magical will come out of your mind, body and soul. Do it extraordinarily,” he said.

Josiah pointed out that the athletes in Rio “should be proud of your achievements”.  

“Firstly, it’s an amazing achievement to make it on merit. It’s also good for one to take the initiative to identify your weaknesses and reach out for help. Most athletes would just internalise and continue in this less than ideal mental state,” he explained.

“You are putting way too much pressure on yourself and letting self-doubt block your ability.

“I’m sure Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps have self-doubts too. The difference is what they do to address it. Bolt has enormous pressure and expectations on him, yet he manages to block all that out and enjoy the moment like a party ... his party!

“Then, in an instant, when he is called up to the mark, he switches on automatically to ‘beast mode’. He executes his extraordinary race and then he switches back to party mode as he celebrates.

“Self-doubt is normal. It will happen. Remember that all your rivals are probably going through the same process. Re-focus on what you have done so well in the past.”

Josiah said that it’s only natural to be overwhelmed by the enormity of competing in the biggest sporting event in the world.

“I remember being in awe of all the athletes walking around, and all the superstars standing in the same queues at the Games Village.

“I remember eating right next to Novak Djokovic and even sharing a joke with him. I remember standing in line at the food hall behind a certain fastest man on two legs, studying his amazing physique and noticing that all he had on his tray was McDonalds!

“Every Olympics, there is unlimited McDonalds made available to the athletes 24/7. It’s ironically the longest line out of all the different cuisines.

“These are the memories that I will hold on to until the day I die. It’s also a great way to free your mind from all the stress and pressure that prohibit you from being at your best,” said the 2004 Athens Olympics keirin finalist.