RI aims to grab Olympic golds

RI aims to grab Olympic golds

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday asked Indonesian
badminton players to maintain the momentum they gained after
snatching a double glory in the Thomas and Uber Cups by retaining
their Olympic gold medals in Atlanta.

"The successes line up a new challenge in our quest for sports
excellence. Susi Susanti and company have to begin all
preparations for the Olympic Games, lest we lose what we have
gained," President Soeharto warned the triumphant Thomas Cup and
Uber Cup teams at the Merdeka Palace yesterday.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, State Minister of Youth
Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman and Chairman of the National
Sports Council Wismoyo Arismunandar were all present at the
gathering.

Soeharto said that badminton remains the only sport that bears
Indonesia's hopes for world-level achievement in sports. "That's
why we must work hard to defend our badminton superiority," he
said in his speech.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia will resume the
training program this week and give its players a break from any
tournaments prior to next month's Olympics.

Badminton is one of the only two sports which have given
Indonesia its Olympic medals. A women's archery trio put
Indonesia among medal winning countries for the first time ever
in the Seoul Olympics in 1988 with a silver. Four years later,
Susi and her fiance Alan Budikusuma won a gold each in Barcelona.

Susi and Alan, who will defend their gold medals, will be
among Indonesia's 20 shuttlers who have qualified for the Atlanta
Olympics. Five gold medals are at stake in this year's Games.

Indonesia retained the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup trophies in
Hong Kong recently, and now sets its sights on winning two gold
medals in Atlanta.

"I, personally, and on behalf of all Indonesian people, am
proud of you all for your efforts to bring the trophies back
home," Soeharto said.

Soeharto sent his congratulations to the national teams
shortly after world champion Hariyanto Arbi clinched Indonesia's
Thomas Cup victory, which completed its double glory.

In an informal chat which followed the ceremony, Soeharto
showed his great concern for the badminton heroes and heroines.

"Susi, when will you marry?" the president asked Indonesia's
badminton queen. A blushing Susi quickly replied that she would
marry Alan next year.

Soeharto, who admitted watching both the Cup finals on TV, was
also curious on Mia Audina's injury during the Uber Cup
competition. The 17-year-old shuttler played with a knee support
to prevent her injury from worsening.

Thousands of people in the traffic-jammed capital lined up
later yesterday to cheer their badminton idols, who displayed the
pair of trophies in a stylish parade across the city.

It was the second massive reception for the badminton players
after a street welcome party when they reached home on Tuesday
last week. (amd)