CAN Malaysia win gold medals in badminton, cycling, diving, archery and sailing at the Paris Olympic Games next month? Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Datuk Norza Zakaria believes athletes from these sports have the potential to deliver, surprising many sports observers and critics.
While Norza may be providing motivation as the Olympics approach, his comments have sparked debate on the feasibility of such expectations.
Maybe, Norza has taken inspiration from basketball legend Michael Jordan's famous quote "I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed", and wants the Malaysian athletes to feel a similar fire when they arrive at the City of Love.
This is something Malaysian athletes can draw motivation and inspiration from to upset the form book in their respective events in Paris. Gold medals in badminton and cycling are seen as attainable, but the prospects are more challenging in other sports.
Led by Lee Zii Jia and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Malaysia's eight-member team hold promise, considering badminton constitutes a significant portion of Malaysia's 13 Olympic medals (six silver, three bronze). World No. 7 Zii Jia is gaining confidence after recent tournament successes and could be a key contender in Paris, possibly even Malaysia's flag-bearer, a decision yet to be announced by OCM.
In cycling, Azizulhasni Awang is a contender for gold in the keirin, contingent upon his physical readiness due to age and health.
Malaysian diving, once a rising force with medals in London 2012 and Rio 2016, has faltered due to internal issues. Bertrand Rhodict Lises is the lone Malaysian diver to qualify for Paris, where just reaching the men's 10m platform final would be a fantastic achievement.
Three Malaysian women's archers will compete in recurve individual and team events, but podium finishes might be ambitious.
In sailing, Khairulnizam Afendy and Nur Shazrin Latif possess talent, but their success in Paris will depend on their adaptation to the conditions there.
Overall, Malaysians will be grateful if the contingent return with the country's first Olympic gold medal.
If it happens, the gold will likely come from badminton or cycling. Anything more than that will be a bonus.
