REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TANGERANG -- IOC Member Erick Thohir is optimistic that Indonesian athletes have the potential to make a breakthrough at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“It's not impossible, we have to add more gold in the future. But it is indeed how Indonesian sports stakeholders should unite to prepare all day long. Because if we get two medals, then we are already talking about preparations for the 2028 Olympics,” Erick said in Tangerang on Wednesday (14/8/2024) in welcoming weightlifting and rock climbing athletes at Soekarno Hatta Airport.
He said that judging by the medal wins, Team Indonesia at the Paris Olympics was rated quite well. Previously in each of those international competitions, only one sport was seeded to win gold.
“However, beyond expectations, there are two sports that can deliver gold medals,” he said.
According to him, with such achievements it is hoped that all other sports can deliver a resounding surprise at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I continue to believe that today's achievements can be even better going forward, because there is an interesting story that we have been hanging on to one cabor today suddenly Indonesia gets two golds from two different clubs. So one more is still potential, not impossible, for achievement in Los Angeles,” he said.
He added that all Indonesian sports stakeholders both from the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenpora RI) and others could prepare even more thoroughly to add achievements to the next event.
“What I hope is that Indonesia will not be satisfied with two golds, when the potential is more than two golds. How this preparation is now must be as soon as possible so that later in Los Angeles 2028 we can add even higher achievements,” he said.
The Indonesian contingent occupied 39th place by collecting two gold medals and one bronze medal in the final standings of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Red and White team's gold medal earnings were donated through the sports of rock climbing and weightlifting.
In rock climbing, Veddriq Leonardo took home the gold medal on the 12th day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after being the fastest in the men's speed number.
While in weightlifting, Rizki Juniansyah who performed in the men's 73 kg class clinched the gold medal on the same day after his total lift could not be surpassed by lifters from other countries.
The first Indonesian medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics was won through the sport of badminton. Gregoria Mariska Tunjung who performed in the women's single number secured the bronze medal.
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