Posted on August 26, 2012, Sunday

OLYMPIC success does not come easy.

The two medals one silver and one bronze Malaysia brought home from the London Games came at huge personal sacrifices to the athletes who won them and from government funding as well.

For those who stood on the rostrum, success was the culmination of years of sweat and toil. They deserve their prize and glory.

Malaysia spent RM20 million (around US$6.5 million) for the National Sports Councils four-year Road To London programme. Some argue the amount is too high for winning only two medals. But then, whoever says Olympic success comes cheap?

South Korea had their most successful Olympics to date in London with a total 28 medals, including 13 gold. But they also spent US$100 million (RM310 million) plus US$30 million from the private sector.

By comparison, our total bill was only five per cent of what South Korea spent to bring success from their athletes.

So what do we actually want? Real success or just wishing for success?

Talks of budget cuts and downsizing teams are common. But targetting cheap competitions to save money means we are moving in one direction DOWN. Mediocrity and third class performance will not bring Olympic success.

Of course, the money spent must be success-oriented. Our plans for sports success has to be bottom up grassroots to elite level. Unfortunately, even today, a comprehensive grassroots development programme for many of our sports is still lacking.

Read more:
Olympic success cometh not on silver platter