LIKE many Malaysians, I was hoping that Lee Chong Wei would bring home an Olympic gold medal for badminton.

After all, he had given us many reasons to believe he could do it. His only setback would be a lack of mental toughness but I thought that problem had been taken care of.

Unfortunately, we had to witness Lee’s embarrassing defeat in Beijing. I’m not disappointed that Lee lost to Lin Dan. But I am disappointed at the way he lost to Lin. It makes me even more upset to find out that Lee was given a hero’s welcome home by Malaysians.

What is there to celebrate? The silver medal is the least that he should deliver. Malaysia has spent taxpayers’ money to fund him and the badminton team to bring home a gold, not a silver. Are we so desperate that even losing should be a reason for us to celebrate?

If we do not put a stop to this “loser” mentality, Malaysian sports will never produce another world champion or an Olympic gold medallist.
I hope this experience will open the eyes and minds of all to the fact that winning starts with having a winning mindset. There is no point in toasting the second best and treating them as heroes.

Lee should be given a pat on the back for a job done but not a hero’s welcome.