Invisible glory at Olympics

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!"