Jokowi Fuels The Spirit Of Indonesian Athletes Competing In The Tokyo Olympics: People Put Hope, Focus!

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ignites the enthusiasm of Indonesian athletes who will compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics from July 23 to August 8. Jokowi said the people had high hopes for the dozens of Indonesian athletes.

He conveyed this when he released the Indonesian contingent to the Tokyo Olympics which was held virtually at the State Palace, Jakarta.

"The people have high hopes for you and your achievements will be the achievements of the Indonesian state," said Jokowi as broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Thursday, July 8.

He knew that the 28 Indonesian athletes who were dispatched to Tokyo had carried out maximum preparations and continued to strive to improve their achievements. Thus, he believes that athletes from various sports are ready to compete in a sporting manner and will win medals.

"Archery, rowing, shooting, badminton, weightlifting, swimming and surfing are fully prepared to compete in a sporting manner and have the potential to win medals," said the former governor of DKI Jakarta.

Furthermore, Jokowi asked the athletes to maintain their health, stamina and focus. So that during the match later, Indonesian athletes can achieve the victory that is expected by the community.

"The people are waiting for you to return to your country with medals that make Indonesia proud. I hope your struggle will be successful," he said.

Previously reported, Menpora Zainudin Amali has confirmed Indonesian athletes will compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, virtually as an effort to avoid crowds and the risk of COVID-19 infection.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) Raja Sapta Oktohari, Chef de Mission Rosan P Roeslani, General Chairperson of the Central KONI Marciano Norman, general chairman of the national sports federation, as well as athletes and coaches who were present virtually from their respective national training centers respectively.

Zainudin said the 28 athletes who will compete in the Tokyo Olympics are selected people who deserve to represent more than 260 million Indonesian people. He advised the athletes not to waste this opportunity by giving the best possible performance in Tokyo.