An editorial by Sin Chew-i.com entitled Shattered Dreams says that Malaysia's performance or non-performance at the Olympics is not only due to inferior skills but also our haphazard development and low-level integrated strength.

I feel accomplishments in sport require more than just skills and physical strength. Our athletes should have self-confidence, character and principles of pride in order to participate and compete, as ultimately, performance is in their own hands.

Perhaps, the lacklustre performance of our athletes at the games could be due to the pressure to win, causing them to lose their concentration. In this regard we certainly can draw some guidance from the teachings of Chuang Tzu, a Taoist sage who lived around 250 BC, who said:

'When an archer is shooting for nothing, he has all his skill. If he shoots for a brass buckle, he is already nervous. If he shoots for a prize of gold, he goes blind or sees two targets - he is out of his mind!

'His skill has not changed. But the prize divides him. He cares. He thinks more of winning than of shooting. And the need to win drains him of power.'

Our athletes have the potential to excel and win if they do not lose their focus. Malaysia Boleh!