OLYMPICS
Kittipong Thongsombat
Officials in Olympic sports Thailand are expected to do well in admit they are under pressure guiding their athletes to deliver in Beijing.
Thailand's top hopes lie in boxing and Gen Taweep Jantararoj, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand (Abat), says he knows that there are high expectations for his fighters to win gold in the 2008 Games.
"I would be under intense pressure if my boxers were not well-prepared," he said. "Fortunately, my boxers are well-prepared and I feel a bit more relaxed now."
There will be eight Thai boxers in Beijing and the squad are expected to bring home at least two golds. The boxing team have won gold in every Games since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
"This is one of my toughest times," said Bussaba Yodbangtoey, president of the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA). "I have never felt this much pressure before."
She says it is really hard for her athletes to equal the performance of the 2004 team that won two gold and two bronze medals in Athens. "Everyone expects us to repeat that success," she said. "But we know how tough it is to do that."
Bussaba says she has been trying to find ways to ease pressure for both herself and her athletes.
"I try not to talk to them too much about their prospects. I also ask them not to read newspapers or watch TV," she said.
"I have told them to do their best and feel relaxed. They could win gold but they may not be able to perform to their potential if they are under pressure."
Pimol Srivikorn, president of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand (TAT), says he feels stressful with three weeks to go.
"Since the beginning of the year, I have not been able to sleep well," he said. "It has been harder for me to have a good sleep lately. I don't know how stressful I will be when the competition comes around."
Yoawapa Burapolchai became Thailand's first taekwondo exponent to win an Olympic medal - a bronze - at the Athens Games. Thailand will have three fighters in Beijing who are expected to win at least one bronze.
Chatchawal Khao-laor, Buttree Puedpong and Chonnapas Premwaew are training in Nakhon Ratchasima with the mental part of the training programme.
"They have to be ready physically and mentally," said Pimol.
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