RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 3 — A mixture of samba and salsa dances greeted the Malaysian contingent in a formal welcome ceremony at the Rio's Olympic Games Athletes Village here, yesterday.
The Jalur Gemilang was unfurled at the Games' Village in the presence of about 30 Malaysian athletes, coaches and officials, joined by athletes from Angola, Canada and Fiji who shared the stage for the flag raising ceremony.
Director of the Games Village, Mario Cilenti, welcomed the chef-de-mission, Tan Sri Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid, who made presentation to the dignitary before the Jalur Gemilang was hoisted to the tunes of the national anthem, along with the Olympics flag featuring the five rings.
The national athletes, led by two-time silver medalist Datuk Lee Chong Wei, were overwhelmed by the warmth and positive energy in the chill evening atmosphere as they were marched off by the Brazilian energetic dance troupe.
Malaysia, seeking the first ever gold medal, will compete in 11 sports when the Games begins on Friday.
Malaysia has won six Olympic medals overall since the 1956 Melbourne Games across badminton and diving, but has yet to earn a gold medal. — Bernama
