OLYMPICS

KUALA LUMPUR: The four Malaysian divers who have qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games next month, are optimistic of reaching the semi-final in their respective events.

Amateur Swimming Union Malaysia (Asum) honorary-secretary Edwin Chong told Bernama that the four, Bryan Nickson Lomas, Leong Mun Yee, Elizabeth Jimie, and Pandelela Rinong, would have to ward off stiff competition from world-class divers from China, Russia, United States, Australia, Germany and other countries in the preliminary rounds in order to get to that level.

Asked about the possibility of the divers bringing back the country’s first-ever medal in diving, Chong said to win a medal of any colour would be a gargantuan task (for the Malaysians).

“This is the Olympic Games. They are up against the world’s best divers. To win any Olympic medal is an honourable thing but the road to win one depends largely on performance and unshakeable self-confidence during actual competition,” Chong said. Bryan will be competing in the men’s 10m platform, while Mun Yee and Elizabeth will pair up in the women’s 3m springboard synchronised diving.

The duo will also be taking part in the 3m springboard individual. Pandelela will compete in the women’s 10m platform.

Diving offers eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. It will be held at the National Aquatics Centre or ‘The Water Cube’ in the Olympic Green from August 9-23.

— Bernama