Invisible glory at Olympics
As politicians fight for power at home and youths throng to television talent shows, five Indonesians hoisted the Red-and- White at the 2004 Athens Olympics. None of their beloved ones, however, witnessed their achievement, as Indonesia is the only participating country that is not broadcasting the world's greatest sporting event.
Certainly, the five athletes deserved more than the routine ceremonial homecoming or cash prizes from sponsors. The government and society need to recognize that only a few things remain that make us proud of being Indonesians. Sports is one, natural sciences such as mathematics and physics is another -- thanks to a group of youngsters who crowned a struggling Indonesia with laurels upon their success in several international competitions.
Tears of joy ran down the face of shuttler Taufik Hidayat on Saturday at the Goudi Olympic Hall after downing Shon Seung-mo of South Korea in the men's singles final, thus retaining Indonesian supremacy in badminton. His success came against all odds, as many had expressed pessimism over our shuttlers, judging from their recent lackluster performance.
Taufik, who turned 23 on Aug. 10, ended the country's deficit in international sporting achievement following Alan Budikusuma, who won the first singles badminton gold in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and Hendrawan, who took the world championship in 2001. Alan's achievement was equaled by Susi Susanti, who grabbed the gold in women's singles in the same year.
Taufik's gold has proven wrong all predictions. Many said the talented shuttler would never reach his peak, but he turned criticism of his "bad behavior" and his failures in recent tournaments into a whip.
By dedicating the gold to his coach Mulyo Handoyo -- who has just returned home after coaching Singapore's national team -- Taufik underlined the importance of a good relationship between coach and athlete.
Badminton, the nation's forte, also claimed two bronzes from men's singles Sony Dwi Kuncoro and men's doubles Flandy Limpele/Eng Hian. The result was a slight dip from Sydney four years ago, when Hendrawan and mixed doubles Tri Kusheryanto and Minarti Timur grabbed two silvers.
Still, this year's achievement is something to laud, particularly in light of the slump performances this year and internal dispute within the Badminton Association of Indonesia, which ousted chairman Chairul Tanjung and brought in Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.
Applause is also due weightlifter Lisa Raema Rumbewas for her silver medal, the second Olympic silver in a row.
With a gold, silver and two bronzes, Indonesia is now in 22nd place in the Games. The country hopes to claim more medals, especially after tae kwon do kicks-off on Aug. 26, with top athletes Juana Wangsa Putri and Satriyo Rahardani in charge.
Considering that most of our Olympic medalists are young, the next government, regardless of who the president will be, should prepare them better if Indonesia wants to improve its performance in the quadrennial international event.
The next president should have a greater vision to improve sports development and at the very least, they should see to it that one of the 11 TV stations in the country will broadcast the Olympics. National support for this unparalleled sporting event is essential to encourage a love for sports among the people. Otherwise, we may never see nor hear one of our athletes yell out in triumph: "This is my Olympics!"