Prayut reminds athletes national pride will be at stake in Rio

Olympic Committee of Thailand (OCT) president Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul yesterday led a group of national athletes and officials for an audience with the premier at  Government House.

“Although the main objective of athletes going to the Olympics is to win, they should not forget that sportsmanship comes first and at the same time be good cultural ambassadors for Thailand,” said Prayut.

“The whole country will be supporting every Thai athlete during the competition. I will wait for success in boxing and weightlifting since I have been told they offer medal prospects [for Thais],” the premier said.

Prayut also urged the athletes to try their utmost and improve their personal bests but at the same time not to put themselves under too much pressure.

“It would be better to stay home if you are not going there without hopes of winning. But you must not hope too much as you will end up putting pressure on yourself and performing below your best.” 

Earlier the national delegation signed messages of well wishes for His Majesty the King at the Sala Sahathai Samakom in the Grand Palace. They also stopped by at the Traimit Temple to receive blessings and amulets from revered monk Chao Khun Thongchai, who previously blessed Leicester City players and gave the Premier League Champions talismans.

Thailand is sending 52 athletes in 16 sports to the Games with a budget of Bt25 million. The country has good chances of winning medals in boxing, weightlifting and taekwondo. 

Sports Authority of Thailand governor Sakon Wannapong said in an interview that Thailand’s first gold medal is expected from weightlifter Sopita Tanasan in the women’s 46kg category, which is due on August 7.

Thailand also have good prospects of winning medals in skeet and trap, golf and badminton. The Kingdom won no gold medals at the 2012 Games in London.