PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles player Tan Kian Meng may have failed in his bid to qualify for the Olympics with Lai Pei Jing, but he is still a golden prospect.
He is the brains behind a special edition gold coin project to support the Malaysian athletes at Paris 2024.
Kian Meng had mooted the idea to his business partners Venessa Diamonds to come up with gold coins to motivate Malaysian athletes to aim for gold in Paris.
They then collaborated with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) on the project, with a portion of the gold coin sales to be channelled to the Malaysian Olympians.
Each 999 fine gold coin, weighing 0.2g, comes with a special booklet and is priced at RM198 and is available online and also at their store in Penang.
The gold coin is embossed with a visual of the Eiffel Tower and the OCM and Venessa Diamonds' logos.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing, ranked world No. 17, didn’t qualify for the Olympics from July 26-Aug 11 and world No. 9 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei will be Malaysia’s representatives in the mixed doubles.
“I couldn’t qualify for the Olympics and I know how difficult it is to make to the biggest sporting event in the world.
“So, the efforts of our athletes should be appreciated,” said Kian Meng.
“Since Malaysia have been waiting long for the first Olympic gold, I mooted this idea to my partners Vanessa Diamonds,” said Kian Meng.
“A percentage of the sales will go to the OCM to be distributed to our athletes in Paris.
“Although I am a badminton player, this initiative is not only for the shuttlers but for all Malaysian athletes in Paris.
“The gold coin booklet is also a valuable and memorable collector’s item for the fans.”
