The Indonesian contingent has completed its mission to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Of the 28 athletes and 8 sports that were participated in, Indonesia managed to bring home one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Rosan Roeslani as the Chief de Mission of the Indonesian team expressed his gratitude and high appreciation to all the athletes who had fought, both those who managed to bring home a medal and those who had not. To the VOI team, he shared the story of leading a sports mission at the summer Olympics which was held in the capital of the Land of the Rising Sun.
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In every game there are winners and losers, it is a necessity. Therefore, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani as the Head of the Indonesian Team is very understanding of what the Indonesian team has achieved in the Olympics this time. The achievements of the Indonesian team when compared to the previous Olympics in Rio de Jeneiro 2016 in obtaining medals increased, but the final ranking decreased.
To all Indonesian athletes who have competed in this four-year sporting event, Rosan did not target a certain number of medals. But what he emphasized is to do or achieve the best for the nation and state. "I really don't target athletes to win medals. The only thing we emphasize is do your best. If you've done your best but haven't actually gotten a medal, what can you say? This time the Indonesian team brought home 5 medals. One gold, one silver and three bronze medals. In terms of ranking, Indonesia is at number 55. Compared to the previous Olympics, our ranking dropped (previous ranking was 46), but from the medal tally it increased. Previously there were only 3 medals (one gold and two silver) now there are 5 medals,” he said.
Gold medals are donated by sports that have a tradition of winning medals at the Olympics. This time the badminton sport managed to donate one gold medal and one bronze medal. The gold was won by the women's doubles pair, Greysia Polii and Apriani Rahayu, while the bronze was won by the men's singles pair, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. While the other three medals were obtained from weightlifting, Eko Yuli Irawan won silver, and Windy Cantika Aisah and Erwin Abdullah both won bronze.
Rosan Roeslani's gait is quite complete, as an entrepreneur with his friend Sandiaga Uno he built Recapital, a group that houses various business fields. He currently serves as President Director of Recapital Advisor. He is also listed as the top leader and commissioner in several well-known companies such as Visi Media Asia Tbk., (President Commissioner), PT Bumi Resources Tbl., (President Commissioner), PT Selaras Indah Sejati (President Commissioner) and many other companies and organizations. the profession he holds. Rosan has served as Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce 2015-2021 and as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees, MES (Sharia Economic Community) 2021 – present.
As Chief de Mission Indonesia at the Tokyo Olympics, he learned a lot from the sporting event which was originally scheduled to be held in 2020, but the corona pandemic forced the event to be postponed to 2021. Because the pandemic was not over, this grand event was held with strict health protocols. Athletes, officials, referees and all those involved were confirmed negative for COVID-19. When it was discovered that someone was positive for COVID-19, the committee immediately took action, the person concerned could not participate.
During the match, they still adhere to strict health protocols. Every day everyone involved performs a PCR test. During the match, there were no spectators involved. This is the first Olympics to be held without spectators at the venue. The audience for the Olympics is carried out from home and from their respective countries through television broadcasts and live streaming. And the number of viewers for the Olympics was recorded at 6 billion per minute streaming and 2.9 billion views on NBC's Facebook and Instagram accounts.
According to Rosan Roeslani, Indonesia, which will soon hold the National Sports Festival (PON XX Papua), can learn a lot from Tokyo, which has successfully held the Olympics during the COVID-19 pandemic. To Iqbal Irsyad, Edy Suherli, Savic Rabos and Rifai from VOI, who met him in his office in the Recapital Building, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, recently. He told about the evaluation of the participation of the Indonesian team in the Olympics, the importance of early coaching so that achievements can be achieved and about sports parties during the pandemic which must have clear implementation instructions and technical instructions. Here is the full excerpt.
After participating in the Tokyo Olympics, what is your evaluation?
There is no instant sports coaching. Everything must be done continuously. Look at the badminton sport that is constantly doing national training. The weightlifting that I lead is the same way. Since 2016 we have included Windy Cantika Aisah into the national training. Rahmat Abdullah since 2015, as well as other athletes. So do not be surprised if the results are achievements at the world level. It's difficult if you only have training three months before the event.
What is done to find new seeds?
We have to increase the number of competitions, championships from the elementary, junior high school levels throughout Indonesia. Through this championship, we will find new new seeds, then we will develop and train them. Seeing countries that are successful in the Olympics, they have been coaching since elementary school age, even in China since kindergarten age.
Not only coaching but the lives of athletes must also be guaranteed when they are not performing, how is this handled?
Coaching in any sport must be structured and start early. It can't be done suddenly. The government must attend and pay attention to the fate of these athletes. Since they were recruited to become athletes and compete and excel until their old age. Their lives must be guaranteed not only when they excel, but also when they can no longer achieve. So far, there is a civil servant program for athletes who excel, so their monthly income is guaranteed. However, for those who do not want to become civil servants, there should also be guidance for entrepreneurship that can be a source of income when they are no longer active as athletes and sportswomen.
What lessons can be drawn from the job as Chef de Mission?
For me this is a very extraordinary experience. Proud and happy when our national anthem, Indonesia Raya, is played at the Olympics. The problem is that the anthem Indonesia Raya only plays in two foreign countries, the first during the President's state visit and the second when our athletes win gold medals in sporting events. The experience there was amazing, I also learned a lot. I also know athletes from various sports, so far I have only known athletes in weightlifting. We talk we exchange ideas, it turns out they are also bored. To the athletes I ordered to give the best for red and white. The best thing can be gold, silver, or bronze, it may also not get any medals.
About the health protocol while in Tokyo?
Organizing the Olympics is not easy, why do we run strict health protocols. The Japanese are not tolerant of this. Before leaving we had 7 consecutive days of PCR. Once there quarantine. Then PCR test every day. I'm very nervous when waiting for positive or negative test results, so it's not during a match or when we want to get a medal or not. Because if the result is positive, it's over, you can't compete. Then those who had contact were also set aside, so all these years of preparation had been in vain. The matter of eating is also arranged in such a way, must use plastic gloves. For the Indonesian contingent, we eat on the 2nd floor corner. I said this is good too. Why? We don't have much contact with other athletes.
What can be learned from Tokyo, because we will hold the XX PON in Papua?
The health protocol must be clear. The application of the process should not be tolerated. And the socialization must be done ahead of time and understood by all involved. While in Tokyo we couldn't do anything other than the Olympics. The rules of the game must be clear. Can it be done? Yes, you can prove it in Tokyo. There's also no audience at all. And for athletes there is something lacking, usually they don't get energy from the audience now. So they have to motivate themselves. And I see during the Olympics, Japan did everything well.
After getting an athlete's medal inundated with bonuses, how do you see this?
We really appreciate all those who have given bonuses to athletes who won medals. The government also gives bonuses to athletes not only who won medals, but also those who did not. I have been contacted by many entrepreneurs who want to give bonuses. What makes me happy is that the coaches and officials can too. Thank God everyone pays attention to our athletes. What I advise athletes to do is not to be careless, the bonuses received are saved or invested. They ask what is the investment? I said invest in things that you can get monthly, such as making a rental or if you can start a business such as a restaurant. Usually athletes open a sports apparel business that they are engaged in. Anything that is important can become a regular income, so it doesn't run out.
For the 2024 Olympics in Paris, how optimistic are you?
God willing, badminton will still be able to donate the highest medals, the hope is that both are weightlifting. Weightlifting I plan to get a gold medal from now on. Hopefully it can be realized in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now there are 16 weightlifting training participants, of which only 3 are seniors, the other 13 are 21 years old. God willing, 2004 will be able to excel. Hopefully other sports can also donate medals.
Rosan Roeslani, Doesn't Know Kapok Despite Being Hit by a Storm
The sea has its own charm for a Rosan Roeslani. Two weeks was too long for him to neglect to visit the sea. Therefore, in the midst of his busy schedule as an entrepreneur and the head of various organizations, he will take his time to do activities at sea. Even though he had a terrible experience that almost hurt him, it didn't stop him from going to sea. Pause for a moment, yes, after that it's back again. Like giving up on the spiciness of chili aka kapok lombok.
Sailing, diving and swimming are hobbies that he has been doing for a long time. Through this activity, he spends his free time at one with nature. “I dive once every two weeks and swim four times a week. That's what I do routinely to maintain my health and fitness, especially during a pandemic like now we have to really take care of our immunity," he said.
Why swim? “According to my doctor, swimming is the most suitable sport for me. All organs of the body can move when swimming, but no one is burdened. If running, badminton, basketball, or other sports that usually rest on the knees, feet and joints. I have to take care of it all now. So the sports recommendations for me are swimming and diving. It's safer for the knees, hehehe," he explained.
There is one experience that I will never forget when sailing from Singapore to Jakarta last December that I will always remember. At that time, the captain of the ship had informed him that the weather forecast was not conducive to sailing, but Rosan was convinced and ignored the weather forecast.
“Even though there was a warning that there would be a storm, I asked to sail, you stubborn bastard. It was true that not long after sailing, bad weather occurred, it was 2 o'clock at night. A storm came, strong winds with a speed of 40 knots and high waves. I woke up and the ship swayed at that time, the entire contents of the ship were shattered. The waves are very high. Me, my brother and the captain had already used life jackets to deal with the worst. Anyway, at that time we had given up, I pray that there will be a miracle. Thank God we were able to get through the storm safely,” he recalled.
According to Rosan Perkasa Roeslani being hit by a storm like that was an unforgettable experience as long as he was sailing on the sea. But are you tired of going to sea? "No, after that go to the sea again and to the sea again. His name is a beach boy, so he will give up for a while after that he will return to the sea and sail, "he continued.
His wife knew very well that Rosan would be restless after two weeks without smelling the sea. "Wow, it seems like it's been a long time since I smelled the sea," he imitated his wife's words: AA. Ayu Manik Mulyaheni, if you haven't been to sea for a long time.
It is not without reason why the former Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry loves diving. The beauty of the underwater world is able to make him fascinated and want to enjoy it again and again. That's what makes it seem like he doesn't want to be separated from diving activities. Moreover, Indonesia is an archipelagic country that has many interesting dive points and is the target of domestic and foreign divers.
After returning from Japan carrying out his duties as Head of the Indonesian Delegation at the Tokyo Olympics, Rosan immediately dived in the Thousand Islands area. "After returning from Japan I dived in the area that was close to the first, the Thousand Islands," said Rosan Roeslani.
He visited Derawan, Maratua, Labuhan Bajo and other well-known dive sites. "After the hobby, how else, even though it is far and requires a lot of time, diving activities are also carried out," he said.
He was used to large and small ships. Even Rosan can last a week if he has sailed. "I've been at sea for a week. Dive to several different points and locations. Because of my hobby, I really enjoy it when I'm at sea. And this habit turned out to be contagious to my children. They are also happy with activities related to the sea,” said the father of Raisyah Saraswati Roeslani, Razan Satya Roeslani and Ranisya Savitri Roeslani.
Indonesia as an archipelagic country, said the winner of a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University (USA) and a Master of Business Administration from European University, Antwerp (Belgium), has a lot of potential. But unfortunately all of it has not been processed optimally.
“The potential of the sea starts from natural resources to tourism. It has not been processed. We reflect on neighboring countries such as Singapore, which do not have the potential of the sea as rich as ours, they have 4 international ship docks for large and small cruises and so on. where are we? There should be a minimum of 10 for a big country like Indonesia," he said.
Infrastructure needs to be built to support the existing marine tourism sector. In terms of regulation of ship ownership, there are also many with Singapore or Malaysia flags. This is because of the complicated regulations in Indonesia. "This is dear, try if you can have an Indonesian flag," he continued.
Soon Rosan Roeslani will carry out his duties as Indonesian Ambassador to America. Why did you accept the assignment as Ambassador instead of the Minister you were offered? “This is something new and a challenge for me. I also want to contribute to this country through diplomacy with the position of Ambassador. Hopefully I can carry out the duties of this country well,” concluded Rosan, who will soon be taking up his post in Washington DC.
“There is no instant sports coaching. Everything must be done continuously. Look at the badminton sport that is constantly doing national training. The weightlifting that I lead is the same way. Since 2016 we have included Windy Cantika Aisah into the national training. Rahmat Abdullah since 2015. So do not be surprised if the results are achievements at the world level. It's difficult if you only have training three months before the event, "
Rosan Roeslani
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