PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today wished the Malaysian Olympic contingent the best of luck for the upcoming 2016 Rio Games next month.
He said the nation's dream has always been to secure Malaysia’s first Olympic gold medal.
"We want our Olympic team to do their best as they have undergone intensive training, both locally and abroad, to prepare for the Games,” said the prime minister, who met several members of the contingent in Putrajaya today.
Among them was Datuk Lee Chong Wei. The 34-year-old shuttler had been chosen to be Malaysia's flag bearer for the Malaysian contingent in Rio.
Also present at the event was Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Malaysia will be represented by 32 of its best athletes in several games, including badminton and golf in the Rio Games.
Six of them are already in Brazil and 12 more will fly out tomorrow.
The prime minister said the whole nation would be rooting for the Malaysian athletes.
Under the country’s incentive programme, athletes who win an Olympic gold medal will receive RM1 million, silver (RM300,000) and bronze (RM100,000).
Winners will also be given a lifelong pension of RM5,000 for gold, silver (RM3,000) and bronze (RM2,000).
Later, Lee told reporters that those who would be competing in Rio would give their best for the country.
“What is important is that we have to fight and give our best," he said.