(Un)Popular Opinion | Our national Paralympic athletes are set to go up against the world’s best in the ongoing Paralympic Games in Tokyo, and it’s time for us to throw our support for the national contingent.
While there are clear favourites who have been identified to bring back gold medals for the nation following our fantastic outing at the 2016 Rio edition in Brazil. I, like all Malaysians, would like to see them surpass the target of three gold.
It will surely be a pleasant welcome ahead of our Independence Day at the end of the month and a breath fresh air amid the nation’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, I urge everyone not to place too much pressure on our athletes. Cheer them on no matter what the outcome may be. While it’s a blessing if they return with medals regardless of the colour, there’s no need to criticize them unnecessarily if things don’t work out either.
One would be ignorant to say such criticism and jeers do not exist. I don’t need to turn back time to prove this. All I need to do is to quote what happened in this year’s Tokyo Olympics where some Malaysians took to social media to batter our athletes who did not win medals with unkind words and downright rude comments.
Please do not repeat this mistake. Support our athletes regardless of the outcome. Our athletes’ presence at the Olympics or Paralympics is already something to be very proud of.
As the Jalur Gemilang is hoisted at the opening ceremony by our flag bearers, let me remind everyone that our national contingent is a show of not only Malaysia’s finest, but also the unity, patriotism, and the Malaysian way of life that we hold so dearly to our hearts.
Our athletes are not only battling for glory at the Games, but also the threat of Covid-19. So, while we hope for their success at the Tokyo meet, let us also keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Here’s to wishing them a safe journey and victorious return!
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of WeirdKaya.
