Beijing 2008 Olympic Games-MALAYSIA BOLEH!

With less than 50 days remaining to the start of Beijing Olympics on Aug 8, Malaysian athlete must mentally and physically prepare to face the challenges. So far 33 athletes from nine sports have confirmed their tickets to Beijing and the National Sports Council's (NSC) main concern in the remaining days to the opening ceremony is that all the athletes stay fit and healthy. They must also look after what they eat and ensure they get proper rest. Every skills and techniques that has learned during training sessions fully applied in the game.

There are possibilities athletes in Malaysia’s contingent increase before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games start off, athletics duo Noraseela Khalid and Zaiful Zainal Abidin, women archers S. Anabarasi, Irza Hani Abu Samah and Nur Amirah Mohamad and triathlon's Kimbeley Yap as those still in with a chance to qualify. This is more or less our contingent to the Olympics although there is a possibility one or two more may qualify later. The end of qualification for athletics is in July, with Noraseela and Zaiful and the women archers are keep trying their best to enable them confirm their ticket to Beijing. All the coaches have their own plans to prepare their athletes and they are already in the final phase of preparations. The main focus now is on preparing them mentally for the challenge ahead.

In Beijing, the 33 athletes will represent Malaysia in archery (3), athletics (3), aquatics (9), badminton (9), cycling (4), sailing (1), shooting (1), taekwondo (2) and weightlifting (1).

Malaysia's medal hopes are being placed heavily on badminton players Lee Chong Wei in the men singles and the two doubles pairs of Kien Keat-Boon Heong and Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah while the men's archers are an outside bet for bronze in the team event.Cycling too could surprise given the rise of Azizul Hasni Awang with ample back up from seasoned Olympic campaigner Josiah Ng while the divers, led by Bryan Nickson Lomas , could just as well make a big splash.

Medal drought since 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games force athletes to work harder. Our athletes have their responsibility to bring home medals to satisfy 27 million Malaysian people. May God bless them.

‘MALAYSIA BOLEH’