The best of the best heading to Rio de Janeiro
With the Summer Olympics in Brazil just six months away and the qualification process well underway in many sports, the Thai athletes should be contending for berths. Instead, a question mark looms large on their chances.
Athletes, who qualified for the Games, have been undergoing intensive training in preparation for the greatest challenge that presents at the quadrennial sports extravaganza, the opening ceremony of which will take place on August 5 at the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. In stark contrast, Thai athletes are still chasing the dream of making the cut
As of January 27, a total of 16 Thai athletes have earned their berths, with shooter Attapon Uea-Aree, who took silver in the men’s 50m rifle prone event in the Asia Olympic Qualification Competition for Shooting in New Delhi, the latest to become eligible.
The squad consists of skeet and trap shooter Sutiya Jiewchaloemmit, who is making her third consecutive appearance in an Olympics, shooters Thanyakorn Pruksakorn and Pim-on Klaisuban, boxer Wuthichai Masuk, either Chanatip Sornkham or Panipak Wongpattanakij in taekwondo, eight weightlifters and two marathon runners.
Though they have qualified, the Thais’ chances of returning with gold are slim. This is because our athletes go to the Games to gain valuable experience rather than winning gold. They lose their self-esteem and confidence the moment they look at tougher and stronger opposition. On the contrary, athletes of rival countries return each time with stronger will and a determination to succeed.
To enhance our medal-winning chances, the very first thing our officials should do is to push athletes go the extra distance in a competition rather than merely pay lip service. No matter how many Thais make the cut, we have to prepare them to be at their best during the period. The question of only a few athletes going and coming home empty-handed like in a junket trip would not exist, if a long-term strategic plan is put in place.
More importantly, we have to provide them with nutritionally-balanced meals, keep watchful eye on their injury problems, offer them chances to sharpen their skills locally and internationally and make them focused and mentally tough.
In the meantime, the officials must support those who are still trying to qualify by providing them financial and moral support. The small gesture will spur the athletes to go all out and make their mark in qualification tournaments.
The Olympic Games is a dream of every athlete and we should have our best sportspersons to compete against the world’s best. Thai officials should let it happen with a push.
