NOW that our athletes have safely returned from the Paris 2024 Olympics with two bronze medals, a far cry from our target of at least one gold, there is cause for contemplation on the future of our sports.

In answer to our despair, a video by netizen @update11111 that went viral showed the talents of our local Mat Rempit youths.

A number of them could be seen navigating the highway on their bikes at high speed, positioned prone with legs jutting out from their seats.

With so many talents in the local pool, perhaps Malaysia could have easily gotten a gold medal in the Olympics if Rempit-ing were a sport. If the Olympics committee could accept cycling keirin, then why not Rempit-ing?

As implausible as it is, let’s check out the steps of submitting a sport to the Olympics just for entertainment purposes.

According to Britannica, the first step in the process of becoming an Olympic sport is recognition as a sport from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). What are the chances that reckless motorcycle riding by adrenaline-junkie youths could be recognised?

“The IOC requires that the activity have administration by an international nongovernmental organization that oversees at least one sport. Once a sport is recognized, it then moves to International Sports Federation (IF) status,” said the website.

Then, the sport’s IF must apply for admittance by filing a petition establishing its criteria of eligibility to the IOC which then admit an activity into the Olympic programme.

The Olympic Charter indicates that in order to be accepted, a sport must be widely practiced by men in at least 75 countries and on four continents and by women in no fewer than 40 countries and on three continents.

The sport must also increase the ‘‘value and appeal’’ of the Olympic Games and retain and reflect its modern traditions. 

With that said, our Mat Rempit friends shall remain on the Malaysian highways even if Malaysia ever became the host for the Olympics.

Their daredevil skills will not be contributing to an Olympics gold medal any time soon, and more likely to increase the demand for doctors and beds in the intensive care unit. - Aug 12, 2024 

https://focusmalaysia.my/if-rempitting-was-a-sport-could-malaysia-score-first-olympic-gold/