RIO DE JANEIRO: The Malaysian camp heaved a sigh of relief after diving pair Pandelela Rinong and Cheong Jun Hoong won the silver medal, the first medal for Malaysia at the Rio Olympic Games here, on Tuesday.
An overjoyed Chef de Mission Tan Sri Muhammad Al Amin Abdul Majid said the silver medal would boost the contingent’s spirit as the games go into full swing following five days of competition.
“The pressure on my neck has been relieved. The girls have delivered,” he said after watching the pair in action along with Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre here.
He said the victory would fire the morale of the other athletes to perform better as the pair has put their heart and soul into the intense competition in the Olympics.
“I spoke to the girls last night and told them that the five dives which they were going to do today can change their life,” he said.
Muhammad Al Amin said the diving team should stay cool and focused in their remaining events as they were rated among the world’s best and would be able to deliver what was expected of them.
“Finally, I can tell my ASEAN brothers that we have won a medal,” he said, referring to Thailand’s two gold medals and Vietnam’s one.
“Besides, Indonesia and the Philippines have collected two and one silver medals, respectively,” he said.
Saravanan, who arrived here two days ago, said it was a historic moment for diving and the country as Pandelela had won a bronze in the London Olympics four years ago.
“This is the beginning for Malaysia’s search for the elusive gold medal in Olympics, “he added.
National Sports Council director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said the pair had made Malaysia proud as they have had placed themselves among the elite in the high-performance stage.
“Their effort will certainly boost the spirit of other athletes to strive for medals,” he said. --BERNAMA