Invisible glory at Olympics<\/p>\n
As politicians fight for power at home and youths throng to
\ntelevision talent shows, five Indonesians hoisted the Red-and-
\nWhite at the 2004 Athens Olympics. None of their beloved ones,
\nhowever, witnessed their achievement, as Indonesia is the only
\nparticipating country that is not broadcasting the world's
\ngreatest sporting event.<\/p>\n
Certainly, the five athletes deserved more than the routine
\nceremonial homecoming or cash prizes from sponsors. The
\ngovernment and society need to recognize that only a few things
\nremain that make us proud of being Indonesians. Sports is one,
\nnatural sciences such as mathematics and physics is another --
\nthanks to a group of youngsters who crowned a struggling
\nIndonesia with laurels upon their success in several
\ninternational competitions.<\/p>\n
Tears of joy ran down the face of shuttler Taufik Hidayat on
\nSaturday at the Goudi Olympic Hall after downing Shon Seung-mo of
\nSouth Korea in the men's singles final, thus retaining Indonesian
\nsupremacy in badminton. His success came against all odds, as
\nmany had expressed pessimism over our shuttlers, judging from
\ntheir recent lackluster performance.<\/p>\n
Taufik, who turned 23 on Aug. 10, ended the country's deficit
\nin international sporting achievement following Alan Budikusuma,
\nwho won the first singles badminton gold in the 1992 Barcelona
\nOlympics, and Hendrawan, who took the world championship in 2001.
\nAlan's achievement was equaled by Susi Susanti, who grabbed the
\ngold in women's singles in the same year.<\/p>\n
Taufik's gold has proven wrong all predictions. Many said the
\ntalented shuttler would never reach his peak, but he turned
\ncriticism of his \"bad behavior\" and his failures in recent
\ntournaments into a whip.<\/p>\n
By dedicating the gold to his coach Mulyo Handoyo -- who has
\njust returned home after coaching Singapore's national team --
\nTaufik underlined the importance of a good relationship between
\ncoach and athlete.<\/p>\n
Badminton, the nation's forte, also claimed two bronzes from
\nmen's singles Sony Dwi Kuncoro and men's doubles Flandy
\nLimpele\/Eng Hian. The result was a slight dip from Sydney four
\nyears ago, when Hendrawan and mixed doubles Tri Kusheryanto and
\nMinarti Timur grabbed two silvers.<\/p>\n
Still, this year's achievement is something to laud,
\nparticularly in light of the slump performances this year and
\ninternal dispute within the Badminton Association of Indonesia,
\nwhich ousted chairman Chairul Tanjung and brought in Jakarta
\nGovernor Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
Applause is also due weightlifter Lisa Raema Rumbewas for her
\nsilver medal, the second Olympic silver in a row.<\/p>\n
With a gold, silver and two bronzes, Indonesia is now in 22nd
\nplace in the Games. The country hopes to claim more medals,
\nespecially after tae kwon do kicks-off on Aug. 26, with top
\nathletes Juana Wangsa Putri and Satriyo Rahardani in charge.<\/p>\n
Considering that most of our Olympic medalists are young, the
\nnext government, regardless of who the president will be, should
\nprepare them better if Indonesia wants to improve its performance
\nin the quadrennial international event.<\/p>\n
The next president should have a greater vision to improve
\nsports development and at the very least, they should see to it
\nthat one of the 11 TV stations in the country will broadcast the
\nOlympics. National support for this unparalleled sporting event
\nis essential to encourage a love for sports among the people.
\nOtherwise, we may never see nor hear one of our athletes yell out
\nin triumph: \"This is my Olympics!\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/invisible-glory-at-olympics-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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