The young ones inspire Malaysia’s golden dream

IT’S a dream that has remained just that – a dream – for 68 years. It was in Melbourne in 1956 that Malaysian athletes marched into the stadium with grand hopes.

There were some great athletes, including M. Harichandra the older brother of the flying doctor Dr Mani Jegathesan and Annie Choong, the country’s first female OIympian.

They came back without a medal. Since then, we have managed 13 medals, five silvers and eight bronzes but there has been no gold. And that remains the dream.

Of course, it’s an honour just to be at the Olympics. It is the pinnacle of sports. Only about 450 Malaysians or so have been Olympians, since 1956, it’s that rare a feat.

This year, 26 men and women will join that number and carry our hopes again, with some eyeing that elusive gold medal.

There is national track cyclist Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, competing in his fifth Olympics. At 36, some may think he is past his peak but he has a heart of gold and has shown that he can deliver on the big stage.

Then we have shuttlers like doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and singles star Lee Zii Jia, both capable of winning on their day. But will it be their day in Paris?

Based on what we are seeing at the moment, gold will be a tough ask, but this is the Olympics. You compete by giving your all and not holding yourself back.

That would be the motivation of every athlete in the contingent but there is hope. Many of those in the contingent are first-timers which augurs well for the future.

Of the 26 athletes, 16 are competing in the Olympics for the first time and it is this group that we need to tap into to ensure that they get to Los Angeles 2028 in much better shape. And of course, we will then have the squash players as well with that sport joining the fray.

Of the 16 debutants, there are some rising talents who have it in them to become world beaters.

National sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi had hoped to go to Paris on his own wind, but he ended up getting the wildcard spot.

He has been preparing very hard, hoping to leave a mark at the Stade de France. His coaches want him to break his season’s best of 10.36s, but Azeem is hopeful of nearing his national record of 10.09s.

The humble 20-year-old is only just starting out. With his mindset, he could be a star in Los Angeles. He is already a star in Malaysia.

Then, there is weightlifter Aniq Kasdan. He looks like a pocket dynamite weighing less than 61kg – and he can lift a total of 300kg, five times his own weight.

The boy from Johor is not as glib as Azeem, but on the stage, every clean and jerk of his epitomises strength and class. In the snatch, the 21-year-old just defies the odds. No weight can take down his small frame.

There is a strong belief that he could get a medal in Paris, but even if he doesn’t, LA could be his highlight.

Archer Ariana Nur Dania Mohd Zairi is just 19, but seeing the way she carries herself, she could be the new star for the Malaysian team.

The South Koreans are mighty in the recurve, but Ariana seems like an athlete who is willing to learn and be better. Paris will be a lesson to bigger successes for her.

These young athletes signal hope for our sports. Though we lament the lack of transparency and governance in some of our sports, the emergence of these talents shows that amidst adversity, the youth have a way of pushing the envelope and the cream always rises.

The nation is now clamouring to hear the “Negaraku” and to see the Jalur Gemilang hoisted on the biggest stage but the athletes just need to know this – give your heart and soul and the nation will be with you.

The gold will likely come in 2028 – and these youngsters will inspire that goal.