Malaysia's gold medal hopes in Rio not solely on Chong Wei - CDM

Malaysia's hopes of winning a first ever gold medal in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics will not only hinge on Datuk Lee Chong Wei said Malaysian Chef-de-Mission (CDM) for the Olympics Tan Sri Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid.

Al-Amin who is also the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) Acting president said the responsibility will also be shouldered by men's doubles pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong and mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying.

Apart from the three events, women's doubles pair Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei and Tee Jing Yi who competes in the women's singles are also gold medal hopes for the Olympics held in Brazil from Aug 5-21.

"As for badminton, we can say our main hope is on three events (men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles)," he told reporters after visiting the badminton squad's training at the Juara Stadium here today.

Al-Amin said he would not set any target for the Olympics before meeting all the athletes and sports associations and team managers.

"This is my first visit as the CDM. After badminton I will be meeting the swimming team and later the shooting team. Other sports in my list are diving and cycling but they are currently training overseas.

"I will check on the training of athletes, their preparations and things that need to be done before leaving to Rio on July 29. Only a few athletes will go on their own," he said.

He said it was important for athletes to be in Brazil early to get acclimatized and visit the venues and get used to the weather conditions.

Al-Amin said 23 athletes have qualified for the Olympics, the latest being Heidi Gan in the 10km marathon swimming event after an impressive performance in Setubal, Portugal, last Sunday.

"We are expecting three or four golfers to join the list and also waiting for the outcome of the Men's Recurve team that is competing in the 3rd World Archery Series in Turkey. Therefore we are looking at a contingent of about 30 athletes," he said.

The list of athletes to Rio, minus the shuttlers are Khairul Anuar Mohamad (archery); Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, Fatehah Mustapa (cycling) Ooi Tze Liang, Cheong Jun Hoong, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Pandelela Rinong, Ng Yan Yee (diving), Khairulnizam Mohd Affendy, Nur Shazrin Latiff (sailing); Jonathan Wong Guanjie (shooting); Welson Sim (swimming); Nauraj Singh (athletics) and Mohd Hafifi Mansor (weightlifting).