Paris Olympics Officially Ends, Hopefully Athletes Are Not Just 'Flooding' Gifts When Bringing Home Medals

The Indonesian contingent at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics (doc. NOC Indonesia).

JAKARTA - The Paris 2024 Olympics officially closed early this morning at the Stade de France, France. The chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, is proud of the achievements of the Indonesian contingent at this world sports event.

"On behalf of myself and the Indonesian people, I would like to thank the sports patriots who have made the nation proud. We are very proud!" said Puan, Monday, August 12.

The Red-White contingent ended their work at the 2024 Paris Olympics in 39 with two gold and one bronze. Specifically for Southeast Asia, Indonesia is in second place after the Philippines.

The weightlifter Nurul Akmal is the last match of the Garuda Team. Although Nurul Akmal has not yet won a medal, Puan assesses that every struggle deployed by the Garuda Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics is the best result for the nation.

"Every drop of sweat and tears will always be remembered as a struggle for the nation," said Puan.

Puan said Indonesia's success in bringing two gold and one bronze medals was a prize in commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day this year. The Indonesian contingent successfully sang the anthem Indonesia Raya and raised the red and white flag on the podium of the prestigious sports competition.

"The defense and success of the Garuda Team is a special gift from the nation's children for the 79th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. Of course, the commemoration of Indonesia's independence is more meaningful and happy thanks to the achievements of the Indonesian contingent at the 2024 Paris Olympics," said Puan.

The 2018 Asean Games Supervisory Board then reminded the Government not to forget to give awards to the Indonesian contingent, especially athletes who managed to become champions. According to Puan, the reward from the state is an appreciation for the struggle of the Garuda Team for successfully making the nation proud.

"Their struggle and hard work must be appreciated as an appreciation from the state to the patriots of the sport of pride of Indonesia," he said.

Furthermore, Puan also emphasized the importance of the state guaranteeing the welfare of athletes in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 11 of 2022 concerning Sport. Especially in terms of the sportsman welfare system.

The Indonesian nation owes a lot of credit from the achievements made by outstanding athletes. The state must ensure that their welfare is not only given when they manage to bring home medals, but is sustainable for their future," said Puan.

He added that the Government was also asked to improve the athlete development system for the advancement of national sports. Especially, said Puan, for priority sports that are Indonesia's seeds.

"Improving and improving sports facilities for athletes must be a concern. In addition, it also increases the coaching of athletes, starting from regions so that we can produce reliable athletes who excel for the advancement of the Indonesian sports climate," said the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.

The Sports Act itself has mandated the Great Design of National Sports (DBON) to advance the world of Indonesian sports. DBON became a reference in the development of national sports in its implementation.

Although the Government has issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 86 of 2021 concerning DBON, the world of sports in the country still needs various supporting facilities for athletes, especially for the nursery of athletes from the regional level.

Puan ensured that the DPR will continue to support the progress of the country's sports according to the functions and authorities of the council. Moreover, at the Paris Olympics, Indonesia has the potential for superior sports other than badminton.

"With the support of the state and the entire community, I am sure that in the future Indonesia will continue to hit international sports competitions because we have many potential athletes from various sports," explained Puan.

Once again, Puan congratulated the success of the Indonesian team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Especially for Veddriq Leonardo (thiking a cliff) and Rizky Juniansyah (weightlifting) who managed to get a gold medal, and Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (bultangkis) with a bronze medal.

According to the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, the success of the Indonesian contingent is the result of the cooperation of all parties. Puan also appreciated the Indonesian people who constantly provided support for the Garuda Team during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"Indonesia's success at the Paris Olympics is the fruit of success in the hard work and mutual cooperation of all athletes, coaches, official teams, and other support teams. And of course the support from the parties and elements of the nation who are involved," he explained.

"And for sure, the success of the Garuda Team is also thanks to the support of all Indonesian people. Thank you to all, and high appreciation for all Indonesian contingents at the Paris Olympics. Continue to move forward in the world of Indonesian sports," concluded Puan.