Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Chef de Mission (CdM) for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Anindya Bakrie, and several National Olympic Committee (NOC) officials reviewed cyclist Bernard van Aert's training for the Olympics.
During the review, Bakrie spoke with van Aert and his management staff to get inputs on the assistance that he may need as well as learn how the training has progressed so far.
"With Bernard van Aert here, (Indonesia) for the first time in 20 years entered the Olympics (track cycling race). That is amazing, while we know that van Aert's achievement is one of the highest at the Asian level," the CdM remarked here on Tuesday.
While speaking to reporters, he said that van Aert's record in the Southeast Asian region is something to be proud of. He then asked Indonesians to support him and pray that he will win a medal at the Olympics.
The attention from stakeholders to van Aert has been huge, he said. However, Bakrie informed, despite the ambitious hope of securing a medal, van Aert has not been given an overly high target, since Indonesia has been long absent from the Olympics cycling competition.
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"I know that even he is not given any target; of course, he does not want to compete half-heartedly and this is more than enough, the rest is we strive and pray," he said.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, van Aert will participate in the Omnium race, which is one of the most grueling bicycle racing branches.
"So, only 22 countries will take part in the Omnium endurance track, and I am the only representative from Southeast Asia. I will definitely give my best," van Aert said.