Memories will linger long after Rio 2016.
From the start, fears and frustrations surrounded the staging of the Games.
For many in Brazil, the Rio Olympics will be remembered as a success for one moment, when footballer Neymar clinched gold with a final penalty in the match against Germany.
Then, there were the sensational successes of American swimmer Michael Phelps’ multi-Olympic record of 28 medals and Jamaica’s Usain Bolt’s historic “triple triple” gold wins.
Add to that was the locals’ anger that their nation’s reputation was tarnished internationally when American swimmer Ryan Lochte made up a story about being mugged at gunpoint.
But more than all that, less easily recognisable, though singularly significant, were the unique feats of sportsmen and women from five countries, small and young nations, which competed with little fanfare and went on to win their nations’ first gold medals.
FROM ASEAN
l Singapore’s Joseph Schooling, whose victory in the men’s 100m butterfly, was not only his country’s first Olympic gold but the 21-year-old also achieved it by beating the greatest-ever Olympian, Michael Phelps, the man he idolised and was determined to emulate.
l Vietnam’s Hoang Xuan Vinh, a 41-year-old army colonel, secured his country’s first gold by firing a near bullseye to win the men’s 10m air pistol event. He also claimed the very first medal of Rio 2016. Explaining his medal-winning tactics, he said: “I think only ‘try, try, try’. On the last shot, I don’t think gold or silver. I think only try.”
OTHERS WERE:
l Monica Puig of Puerto Rico, a 22-year-old with only one previous international tennis singles title, stunned Germany’s world No. 2, Angelique Kerber, with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 triumph. Not only was she the first person to win gold for Puerto Rico but she was also the first female athlete representing the country to win a medal of any colour.
l Fiji’s men’s rugby team was perhaps the most impressive of all. Not only did it win the nation’s first Olympic gold but also its first-ever medal. They gave no hint of nerves and put in an utterly dominant display against rugby stalwarts, beating Great Britain in the final by a resounding 43-7.
l Malinda Kelmendi of Kosovo. With her country competing in its first Olympic Games, Kelmendi won the women’s judo 52kg final to put Kosovo on the medal table for the first time in its short history as an independent country.
These five exemplified the Olympic spirit. You don’t have to be from sports powerhouses or make a song and dance to earn the highest prize. With quiet confidence, they tried and conquered!
Winston Rueben Dudley,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor