OCM Hopes Malaysia Can Win More Medals At London Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's prospects of winning more medals at the London Olympic Games from July 22 to Aug 12 are brighter than during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, according to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM). OCM President Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar said on Saturday Malaysia were focusing not only on badminton but also on archery, diving and track cycling. Malaysian athletes have won a total of four Olympic medals, two silver and two bronze, all in badminton. "The primary focus of OCM and Malaysians is the London Olympic Games where Malaysia are highly hopeful of winning their first Olympic gold medal," said Tunku Imran when addressing the OCM 31st annual general meeting at Wisma OCM (OCM Building), here Saturday. So far, 28 national athletes have qualified for the London Olympics. The figure is expected to rise to 34, with the decision to include six additional slots -- three in swimming, two in athletics and one in women's weightlifting -- next week. Malaysia sent 33 athletes to the Beijing Olympics. Tunku Imran also said it was hoped that Kuala Lumpur would be confirmed as the host of the 127th session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2015. Kuala Lumpur had been shortlisted by the IOC executive board as the host, along with several other cities, and the matter would be decided at the committee meeting in London on July 26, he said. He asked all national sports associations affiliated to the OCM to work harder to improve on their athletes' performance. -- BERNAMA