PETALING JAYA: The curtains came down on Malaysian participation in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore yesterday with the contingent enriched by the experience and diver Pandelela Rinong set to reap the rewards for her medal-winning efforts.
Rhythmic gymnast Lee Wan Nin missed out on a bronze medal, finishing fourth in the individual all-around final yesterday.
So close: Malaysian gymnast Lee Wan Nin in action during the Youth Olympics rhythmic gymnastics competition in Singapore. She missed out on a medal after finishing fourth. – AP But Pandelela’s two silver medal finishes in the girls’ 3m springboard and 10m platform put Malaysia on board the medal count in the inaugural Games, which attracted participation from all but one of the 205 members of the International Olympic Council (IOC).
The National Sports Complex (NSC) director general, Datuk Zolkples Embong, who was in Singapore during the first week of the Games, expressed his satisfaction with the haul of two silver medals and said that the 17-year-old Sarawakian would be entitled to a special reward for her outstanding performances.
“We targeted one medal of any colour from Pandelela, whom we picked as the flag-bearer for our contingent but she delivered two,” he said.
“She is one of the athletes under the Road to London 2012 programme and she is definitely on the right track. If Pandelela keeps improving, she can be in contention for a medal in the London Games.”
Zolkples added that there was no provision for rewards for medals won in the Youth Olympics under the current NSC incentive scheme.
“It was the first Youth Olympics but we will work out a special one (reward) for her. We will get the approval from the Youth and Sports Ministry and announce it later,” said Zolkples, who is in Paris for the world badminton championships.
Chef-de-mission Alex Lim Keng Liat was happy with how things panned out for the small contingent in Singapore.
“We also targeted a medal from badminton but it was unfortunate that Loh Wei Sheng got injured in the semi-final (against eventual winner Pisit Poodchalat of Thailand),” he said. “Overall, the results were fine as we did not have many athletes who qualified and there were also quota restrictions in some sports.”
The former top national swimmer hoped that those who came to Singapore with high hopes to earn medals but failed to do so would not be demoralised.
“It was not all about winning medals. It was also for the youngsters to enjoy the experience. Most of them, I believe, will go on to compete in the senior Olympics and I hope they are more motivated to achieve their goals.
“The IOC’s idea of getting everyone to stay together from the start until the end of the Games was also good as it encouraged the youth to learn more about other people’s life and culture outside sports. In normal Games, you leave after finishing your event.”
The Malaysian contingent will attend the closing ceremony tonight.
The Star
Rhythmic gymnast Lee Wan Nin missed out on a bronze medal, finishing fourth in the individual all-around final yesterday.
So close: Malaysian gymnast Lee Wan Nin in action during the Youth Olympics rhythmic gymnastics competition in Singapore. She missed out on a medal after finishing fourth. – APThe National Sports Complex (NSC) director general, Datuk Zolkples Embong, who was in Singapore during the first week of the Games, expressed his satisfaction with the haul of two silver medals and said that the 17-year-old Sarawakian would be entitled to a special reward for her outstanding performances.
“We targeted one medal of any colour from Pandelela, whom we picked as the flag-bearer for our contingent but she delivered two,” he said.
“She is one of the athletes under the Road to London 2012 programme and she is definitely on the right track. If Pandelela keeps improving, she can be in contention for a medal in the London Games.”
Zolkples added that there was no provision for rewards for medals won in the Youth Olympics under the current NSC incentive scheme.
“It was the first Youth Olympics but we will work out a special one (reward) for her. We will get the approval from the Youth and Sports Ministry and announce it later,” said Zolkples, who is in Paris for the world badminton championships.
Chef-de-mission Alex Lim Keng Liat was happy with how things panned out for the small contingent in Singapore.
“We also targeted a medal from badminton but it was unfortunate that Loh Wei Sheng got injured in the semi-final (against eventual winner Pisit Poodchalat of Thailand),” he said. “Overall, the results were fine as we did not have many athletes who qualified and there were also quota restrictions in some sports.”
The former top national swimmer hoped that those who came to Singapore with high hopes to earn medals but failed to do so would not be demoralised.
“It was not all about winning medals. It was also for the youngsters to enjoy the experience. Most of them, I believe, will go on to compete in the senior Olympics and I hope they are more motivated to achieve their goals.
“The IOC’s idea of getting everyone to stay together from the start until the end of the Games was also good as it encouraged the youth to learn more about other people’s life and culture outside sports. In normal Games, you leave after finishing your event.”
The Malaysian contingent will attend the closing ceremony tonight.
The Star
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