"We need not be afraid but must remain careful," deputy chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, Muddai Madang, said at an event to see off the athletes at the IOC office here on Wednesday.
He cautioned that athletes who wished to go out must go with friends and not alone and if there is no urgency, they are urged to remain at their place of accommodation.
He urged all athletes to stay focused on their matches as Chief of Mission, Raja Sapta Oktohari, would make all itineraries that the athletes may need.
"I have strong confidence that Indonesia will be able to win a gold medal from the Olympic Games in Brazil. We must be able to return to our past tradition of winning a gold medal," he underlined.
Indonesia is sending 28 athletes to compete in seven branches in the four-yearly event. There will be the biggest contingent of athletes to compete in badminton, followed by weight lifting in which seven athletes from the country will take part.
Seeing the athletes capabilities, the chance to win medals is wide open. Besides badminton and weight lifting, archery is also expected to yield a medal as the athletes in this discipline have world records.
"In the group event, chances of winning a medal in archery is greater because they beat out the best in a Turkish championship some time ago. We must be optimistic," he added.
One of the archers, Ika Yuliana Rochmawati, stated that she was looking forward to show her best performance in the event.
"We hope for support and prayers from the people in Indonesia so that we could perform well and win a gold medal," she remarked.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
