Malaysia may have to wait for another four years to end gold drought
Silver medallist Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei waves at the victory ceremony for the men's singles badminton event at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena August 5, 2012. — Reuters picLONDON, Aug 6 — Malaysia may have to wait for another four years, probably the 2016 Brazil Olympics, to see a glitter of gold since gold medal hopes in the London Olympics continued to fade after badminton and cycling failed to deliver the goods.
In badminton, regarded as the most likely sport to contribute a gold medal to end the country's wait for a gold medal in the Olympics since 1956, managed only a silver through Datuk Lee Chong Wei from the men's singles.
Chong Wei, the world number two lost 21-15, 10-21, 19-21 to world number one and defending champion, Lin Dan of China, in today's final, his second consecutive defeat to the Chinese player since losing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics final.
Playing in probably his last Olympics due to his age factor, the 30 year-old Penang lad admitted that he had given his best but Lin Dan proved himself as a class above the others.
“It’s the second time I've disappointed the expectations of Malaysians. I did my best but Lin Dan was better,” he said.
In an earlier match, world number eight pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong failed to deliver any medals after losing to top seeded pair here, Chung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae of South Korea in the bronze medal play off.
The Malaysians lost 21-23, 10-21 in 47 minutes.
Besides badminton, track cycling, another sport targetted to contribute a gold medal, also failed to produce positive results, let alone win a medal, when Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, could on manage eighth spot in the men's Individual Sprint.
Azizulhasni who qualified for the quarterfinals was beaten by new Olympics record holder, Jason Kenny of Great Britain.
Malaysia's search for the elusive gold will continue tomorrow when Yeoh Ken Nee and Huang Qiang compete in the Men's 3m Individual Springboard. — Bernama
