M'sia ready to roar in Rio: CDM
Published on: Thursday, August 04, 2016
RIO DE JANEIRO: Malaysian Chef-de-Mission Tan Sri Mohamed Al-Amin Abdul Majid said the 32 national athletes are all ready to roar at the Rio Olympics Games which begins Friday.Exuding confidence, he said, the national contingent is fully prepared and ready to make great strides with badminton, cycling and diving, and possibly archery, the core for Malaysia's medal.Pressed for target and expectation, he refused to name the number and believed there would be some surprises in store to improve the two-medal haul in the last Games in London four years ago.
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Arriving in the second largest Brazilian city of 6.5 million people four days ago, along with the badminton team and other athletes, he said, the 22 athletes have started to acclimatise themselves with the surrounding."Based on my rounds and feedback, the athletes have settled down in the Games Village," he told the Malaysian media after the flag raising ceremony at the sprawling village which houses more than 11,000 athletes and officials from over 200 countries here, Tuesday.On his visit to the training venues across the city, Mohamed Al Amin said he was satisfied with the facilities.The athletes are better prepared and there is no major issues, except food adjustment at the Games Village and doping-free during the pre-Games examination, he said.
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"In international meets, the variety of food served is up to international standard....the taste might not be to our liking and we will see how adjustment can be made."I can say we are quite eager to start off the challenge and I believe the athletes are ready and expected to give the best," he added.
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Meanwhile, a mixture of samba and salsa dances greeted the Malaysian contingent in a formal welcome ceremony at the Olympic Games Athletes Village.The Jalur Gemilang was unfurled at the Games' Village in the presence of about 30 Malaysian athletes, coaches and officials, joined by athletes from Angola, Canada and Fiji who shared the stage for the flag raising ceremony.Director of the Games Village, Mario Cilenti, welcomed Mohamed Al-Amin, who made presentation to the dignitary before the Jalur Gemilang was hoisted to the tunes of the national anthem, along with the Olympics flag featuring the five rings.The national athletes, led by two-time silver medallist Datuk Lee Chong Wei, were overwhelmed by the warmth and positive energy in the chill evening atmosphere as they were marched off by the Brazilian energetic dance troupe.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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