Identify Talented Athletes Early To Win Medals In Olympics - Tun Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will have a better chance of winning medals at the Olympics if talented athletes are identified and groomed early said former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"Countries like China and North Korea start their talent scouting early. They identify talent at a young age to mount a serious challenge in the Olympics," he told reporters after launching the Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC) 2012 here Thursday.

Dr Mahathir said sports like shooting and bowling need talented athletes who are totally committed and ready to train diligently without supervision.

"I feel if we must choose a sport that we can have a chance to win medals. Since our physic is small, we must identify a sport that is suitable for us," he said.