Shuttlers return heroes

Shuttlers return heroes

Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

ozens of high school students cheered and waved Indonesian
flags as Olympic gold medalist Taufik Hidayat arrived at
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Tuesday evening.

About 30 shuttlers from the national training center in
Cipayung were also among the crowd welcoming the returning hero.
They clapped and chanted as the Olympic champion, followed by
fellow Olympic athletes, emerged from the VIP room at the
airport.

Taufik, accompanied by bronze medalists Sony Dwi Kuncoro,
Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian, and other members of the Indonesian
sporting contingent, was greeted by National Sports Council
(KONI) chairman Agum Gumelar.

Despite being given little chance of winning an Olympic medal,
Taufik proved his mettle by overpowering Shon Seung-mo of South
Korea in the final of the badminton men's singles competition.

Though the Olympics are still underway in Athens, Taufik is
likely to be Indonesia's lone gold medal winner, making him the
focus of the celebrations.

However, Agum praised all of Indonesia's Olympic athletes.
"Everyone who fights for the country's honor is a hero. You are
all heroes to us for lifting the country's honor in international
competition by raising the Indonesian flag in Athens."

With one week to go for the Olympics, the Indonesian
contingent of 39 athletes and officials representing 13 sports
has begun arriving home.

Thirty-two athletes and officials arrived on Tuesday. They
were from swimming, rowing, judo and badminton.

More athletes and officials are expected to follow in the next
few days. The cycling team is scheduled to arrive home on
Saturday, while the sailing, canoeing, track and field, tae kwon
do and boxing teams are expected next week.

Taufik's victory has maintained Indonesia's gold medal
tradition in the Olympics, which began at the Barcelona Games in
1992.

Alan Budikusuma and Susi Susanto struck gold in Barcelona,
while Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky triumphed in Atlanta in
1996, and Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan enjoyed victory in
Sydney in 2000.

Weightlifter Lisa Rumbewas won silver in Athens, making
Indonesia's medal haul at the Games one gold, one silver and two
bronzes.

"Many people criticized me and wrote me off. I was fired up to
prove that I am still able to win," said Taufik, who arrived in
Athens with only one tournament victory this year at the Asian
Championship.

"My next target is to win the All England Championship and the
World Championship next year," he said. Taufik has lost twice in
the final of the All England.

Taufik said he planned to take a short break before next
month's National Games in Palembang, South Sumatra, where he will
represent West Java.

The Olympic gold will also mean a financial windfall for
Taufik. Apart from the Rp 1 billion (US$111,111) promised by KONI
for a gold medal, Taufik can likely expect other bonuses.

"KONI will hand the cash bonuses to the athletes as soon as
possible," Agum said.

West Java Sports Council head Eka Santoso said he would ask
the West Java administration to present Taufik with a cash bonus
of Rp 170 million.