RI aims to grab Olympic golds<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday asked Indonesian
\nbadminton players to maintain the momentum they gained after
\nsnatching a double glory in the Thomas and Uber Cups by retaining
\ntheir Olympic gold medals in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
\"The successes line up a new challenge in our quest for sports
\nexcellence. Susi Susanti and company have to begin all
\npreparations for the Olympic Games, lest we lose what we have
\ngained,\" President Soeharto warned the triumphant Thomas Cup and
\nUber Cup teams at the Merdeka Palace yesterday.<\/p>\n
Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono, State Minister of Youth
\nAffairs and Sports Hayono Isman and Chairman of the National
\nSports Council Wismoyo Arismunandar were all present at the
\ngathering.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said that badminton remains the only sport that bears
\nIndonesia's hopes for world-level achievement in sports. \"That's
\nwhy we must work hard to defend our badminton superiority,\" he
\nsaid in his speech.<\/p>\n
The Badminton Association of Indonesia will resume the
\ntraining program this week and give its players a break from any
\ntournaments prior to next month's Olympics.<\/p>\n
Badminton is one of the only two sports which have given
\nIndonesia its Olympic medals. A women's archery trio put
\nIndonesia among medal winning countries for the first time ever
\nin the Seoul Olympics in 1988 with a silver. Four years later,
\nSusi and her fiance Alan Budikusuma won a gold each in Barcelona.<\/p>\n
Susi and Alan, who will defend their gold medals, will be
\namong Indonesia's 20 shuttlers who have qualified for the Atlanta
\nOlympics. Five gold medals are at stake in this year's Games.<\/p>\n
Indonesia retained the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup trophies in
\nHong Kong recently, and now sets its sights on winning two gold
\nmedals in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
\"I, personally, and on behalf of all Indonesian people, am
\nproud of you all for your efforts to bring the trophies back
\nhome,\" Soeharto said.<\/p>\n
Soeharto sent his congratulations to the national teams
\nshortly after world champion Hariyanto Arbi clinched Indonesia's
\nThomas Cup victory, which completed its double glory.<\/p>\n
In an informal chat which followed the ceremony, Soeharto
\nshowed his great concern for the badminton heroes and heroines.<\/p>\n
\"Susi, when will you marry?\" the president asked Indonesia's
\nbadminton queen. A blushing Susi quickly replied that she would
\nmarry Alan next year.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, who admitted watching both the Cup finals on TV, was
\nalso curious on Mia Audina's injury during the Uber Cup
\ncompetition. The 17-year-old shuttler played with a knee support
\nto prevent her injury from worsening.<\/p>\n
Thousands of people in the traffic-jammed capital lined up
\nlater yesterday to cheer their badminton idols, who displayed the
\npair of trophies in a stylish parade across the city.<\/p>\n
It was the second massive reception for the badminton players
\nafter a street welcome party when they reached home on Tuesday
\nlast week. (amd)<\/p>",
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