After spending millions of ringgit, time and effort, we only got silver and bronze medals in the recent London Olympics.

Considering our record of having taken part in the Olympics since 1956, we should have won gold medals in badminton and hockey.

But for all our efforts, we only brought back a silver and a bronze in badminton in 1992, 1996, 2008 and this year.

Pandelela Rinong's bronze in diving, a first for a sport outside badminton, gives hope to the nation. With proper guidance and planning, Pandelela is set to do well. She is one of our best gold medal prospects in future Olympics.

I believe our athletes did not live up to their potential. They could have done better, considering our 56 years of rich experience related to the Olympics.

If Malaysian sports were to succeed at the highest level, sports bodies in the country must be led by competent and dedicated people who know the field well. More importantly, they must live up to the Olympic motto of "higher, faster and stronger".

David Tih, Malacca