One World, One Dream: Whither Malaysia?

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games finally came to a conclusion, offering few thoughts to the world and also to Malaysian. China topped the standings by winning the highest number of gold medals. This shows the world that the emerging of China as a potential superpower is not merely a dream or myth. Therefore, some Western powers lead by the United States shows sign of distress by “attacking” the credibility of China. Attacks started even before the bidding for this Olympic Games. China lost in its first attempt, believing that anti-China propaganda, particularly on human rights issues, did the damage to China. During the torch run, disturbance were everyway as sentiment over the issues of Tibet been fanned up non-stop in Western media. Some Western media have been criticizing host China since the opening ceremony. Criticisms included questioning China’s ethical behaviour over the issues of Lin Miaoke’s photogenic stand-in for the real singer, Yang Peiyi, China boasting their military might in the opening ceremony, alleged fake (recorded) live fireworks display, continuous voicing out on China’s human right abuse and accusation of China’s gymnast being underage. Perhaps, a clear jealousy over China success is the medal ranking – putting the United State as No. 1 by using the “total medals” as yardstick for ranking instead of ranking by number of gold medals is seen in various Western media. See Telegraph’s report that criticized US media on this issue. Anyway, all those criticisms as well as ranking method discrepancy may have their respective merits in this rhetoric-oriented world.

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Final Medal Standings

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total	Rank by total
1	China	51	21	28	100	2
2	United States	36	38	36	110	1
3	Russian Fed	23	21	28	72	3
4	Great Britain	19	13	15	47	4
5	Germany	16	10	15	41	6
6	Australia	14	15	17	46	5
7	Korea	13	10	8	31	8
8	Japan	9	6	10	25	11
9	Italy	8	10	10	28	9
10	France	7	16	17	40	7
	Selected Asian countries
31	Mongolia	2	2	0	4	=44
31	Thailand	2	2	0	4	=44
33	DPR Korea	2	1	3	6	=30
39	Azerbaijan	1	2	4	7	=27
40	Uzbekistan	1	2	3	6	=30
42	Indonesia	1	1	3	5	=38
50	India	1	0	2	3	=51
51	Iran	1	0	1	2	=57
52	Bahrain	1	0	0	1	=69
65	Kyrgyzstan	0	1	1	2	=57
65	Tajikistan	0	1	1	2	=57
71	Malaysia	0	1	0	1	=69
71	Singapore	0	1	0	1	=69
71	Vietnam	0	1	0	1	=69
80	Chinese Taipei	0	0	4	4	=44
81	Afghanistan	0	0	1	1	=69

Source: Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at http://en.beijing2008.cn. [Note: Original link to respective countries medal intact for access to further information]

Compliments to host China are plenty as well. Quoting Reuters, “China basked in the glow of their 51st gold medal and got a clear thumbs-up from International Olympic Committee on the last day of the Games on Sunday…The hosts finished well clear atop the medals table with 15 more golds than the United States.” CNN reported “Grand fireworks and spectacular choreography brought to a close the Beijing Games Sunday as one of the most remarkable Olympics in recent history were declared at an end” while AFP wrote that “For China, the investment of more than 40 billion dollars on the Games reaped handsome rewards. They not only topped the gold medal count, but a near flawless organisation meant the controversies that marred the build-up largely slipped into the background.” AFP also quoted IOC President Jacques Rogge described the Games as “truly exceptional”. Rogge further elaborated that "more than 40 world records were set, more than 100 Olympic records, and of course we had the two icons of the Games, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt" say it all for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Picture source: Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Besides China, South Korea and Japan are the only Asian countries managed to be ranked among the top ten (by gold medals count). Another 16 more Asian countries managed to win at least a medal, including a silver achievement for Malaysia. But, the question is should Malaysia has won more medals? Relentlessly boasting its “dynamic” economic, why Malaysia seem so proud of merely winning a silver medal? Please do not compare with Singapore. Benchmarking towards a lower level of achievement is not a good culture for the country, indeed any country. One of the higher benchmarks that could inspire Malaysia is Jamaica. Jamaica won 6 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 2 bronze medals with Usain Bolt creating world records in men 100 meters, men 200 meters and men 4x100 meters rally. Even fellow Asians like Mongolia, Thailand and DPR Korea respectively have two gold medals.

From the opening and closing ceremony, host China gave emphasis on Chinese writing and system, including the arrangement of participating countries parade (that surprisingly seeing Australia delegations coming out at the end of the parade), the countdown and its President’s speech. If Olympic is held in Malaysia, will our national language, Bahasa Malaysia being emphasized and given priority over English? Not to dream of topping the medal standings like China, but when will Malaysia produce its first gold medallists and world record breakers? When will Malaysia have a world sport icon?

One world, one dream. Sports such as Olympic (and maybe Soccer World Cup) could bring all countries around the world to share a dream of sportsmanship. Regardless of triumph or disappointment, it would be good if the world could stop all conflicts (even for a short while) to savour the excitement of the Games peacefully. Nevertheless, dreams may be different again after the Games. When China is realizing its dream, the United States may begin to have nightmare of losing its superpower status. Meanwhile, Malaysia seems have not wake up from its sweet dream since long time ago. Hence, in four years time in London 2012 Olympic Games, whither Malaysia?

Reference:

AFP. 2008. Curtain down on 'truly exceptional' Beijing Games. Source: http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/newsmlmmd.eec675fb1ae4cc3ca249a6b0eb442603.101.html. Access date: 24 August 2008.

CNN. 2008. Grand spectacle closes Beijing's Olympics. Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/08/24/olympics.close/index.html. Access date: 24 August 2008.

Reuters. 2008. IOC says China Games leave positive legacy. Source: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=sportsNews&storyid=2008-08-24T094553Z_01_SP110934_RTRUKOC_0_US-OLYMPICS.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsArt-R1-MostViewed-1. Access date: 24 August 2008.