Thailand and the 2016 Olympics
Thailand will be one of more than 100 countries to participate in the 2016 Olympic Games, which will be held in Brazil from August 5 to 21. With the exception of 1980 (Moscow), Thailand has had a continuous presence at the Summer Olympics since 1952.
Thailand's total medal tally is 7 gold, 6 silver and 11 bronze medals, bringing it to a whopping 54.th instead of all participating countries.
A total of 52 Thai athletes will travel to Rio de Janeiro this time to compete in 16 sports in the battle for medals. However, Thailand belongs to a large group of countries, for which “participating is more important than winning”. At the last Olympic Games (2012 London), the meager score was 2 silver and 1 bronze medal.
This time it will be different, I read in the Thai press. In various sports, the chances of medals have risen considerably, so that the score will certainly exceed that of London. I have made an overview of the medal chances for Thailand from several newspaper articles and websites:
Badminton
A "definite" gold medal is ready for world number 4 in women's badminton, Ratchanok "May" Inthanon. But unfortunately, she is involved in a doping affair. During a recent tournament in China, she received an injection (for a knee injury) with a banned substance. A counter-examination is still being done, but it is expected that it will also be negative for her. She will then be suspended for 2 or 3 years and will therefore not be able to shine in Brazil
Bicycle Cross (BMX)
Amanda Carr would have a good shot at a medal in this discipline. She is an American with a Thai mother, who was rejected from the US team in 2012 for the Games in London. She then reported to the Thailand team and actually won a gold medal at the Asian Games. Perhaps she can repeat such a feat in Rio.
Golf
Golf is back at the Olympics after a 112-year absence. Thailand sends 2 men and 2 women to the new golf course in Rio, specially made for these Games. All four are medal-winning according to the president of the Thai Golf Association, with the favorites being Ariya Jutanugarn in the women's ranking (No. 7 in the world ranking) and Thongchai Jaidee in the men's ranking (No. 27 in the world ranking).
Taekwondo
The big boys of taekwondo in Thailand are also optimistic. Three Thai athletes are taking part, with the biggest medal chance being credited to Panipak “Tennis” Wongphattanakit, who became world champion in the women's 49 kg class last year.
I cannot say anything about the chances of Thai athletes in other disciplines, but blog readers may be able to name other top Thai athletes who will be delegated to the Olympic Games.
About this blogger
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Bert Gringhuis (1945), born and raised in Almelo in the beautiful Twente. Later lived for many years in Amsterdam and Alkmaar, working in export for various companies. I first came to Thailand in 1980 and immediately fell in love with the country. Been back many times since then and moved to Thailand after my (early) retirement as a widower. I have been living there for 22 years now with my somewhat younger Thai lady Poopae.
My first experiences in Thailand as a kind of newsletter sent to family, friends and acquaintances, which later appeared under the name Gringo on Thailandblog. Many, many articles followed those first stories and that has grown into an almost daily hobby.
In the Netherlands still an avid footballer and football referee, but the years are starting to tell and in Thailand still avid, but the pool billiards is really of inferior quality, ha ha!
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I don't know the names of the athletes, but Thailand could also score high in weightlifting (for women), clay pigeon shooting and boxing (men).
There are also a number of sports in which Thailand performs excellently, but these are not Olympic sports: takraew (men and women) and futsal (indoor football). In the latter sport, Thailand will be represented in October at the world championships in Colombia. The Netherlands did not survive the qualification. Don't worry: the coach of the Thai team has been Vic Hermans, a Dutchman, for many years.
Olympic heroes are good promoters for the sport. Many Dutch girls and boys now go to athletics because Dafne is now in the picture. Handball and Volleyball also attract many young athletes because Sloetjes and Mrs. van der Vaart come on TV. Hopefully the Thai youth will also get their Olympic sports heroes so that they can also get a taste for sports.