Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 26, 2024: Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, Malaysia’s Chef de Mission for the upcoming Olympic Games, paid a visit to two athletes who have qualified for Paris 2024 on Thursday, February 22.
Accompanied by Deputy CDM Datuk Nicol Ann David, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin first met with Bertrand Rhodict Lises at the National Aquatics Centre before calling in on Olympian Johnathan Wong Guanjie at the Shooting Range at Gymnasium 3, National Sports Council.
Bertrand, the sole Malaysian diver who will compete in the Paris Olympics, secured his slot for the men’s 10m platform at the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2023.
Johnathan will compete in shooting - men’s 10m air pistol after earning his berth by qualifying from the Asian Shooting Championship 2023 in Changwon, Korea.
Datuk Hamidin and Datuk Nicol spent some time getting the latest updates on both athletes' preparations for the Olympic Games in July.
"Both of them are free from injury, and I've been told they will compete in a few World Cup series. This will provide them the competitive edge ahead of the Paris Games," said Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin.
"I advised Rhodict to focus on improving his ranking. Rhodict is young enough to participate in three more Olympics and his mental strength is commendable.
"Johnathan already has the experience of competing in the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 but missed out on Tokyo 2020. Paris is a ticket for him to redeem himself."
Datuk Nicol added: "We are very proud of Bertrand, Johnathan and three other athletes who have already qualified and now we are looking forward to the next few months of the qualification period.
“This is a crucial moment for other athletes to secure their spots. Datuk Hamidin and I are here to give support but, ultimately, the athletes themselves must give their best in order to qualify."
Datuk Hamidin and Datuk Nicol plan to meet three other athletes who have secured their places in Paris 2024 - Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif, Ariana Nur Dania Mohamad Zairi and Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir – this week.
