The duo carry the hopes of the nation on their shoulders when they compete in the synchronised 10m platform against the powerhouse divers from China.
Pandelela and Mun Yee, seen as the best bets for an Olympic medal from a sport other than badminton, are quietly confident of their chances.
But the pair have been warned to get into competition mode from the start if they are to stay in contention for a medal.
Their Chinese coach Yang Zhulian said it was imperative for them to remember that there is no second chance in diving.
“Every single dive counts. They are medal prospects so long as they get their act going from the word go,” he said.
Each pair will get five dives and the total score will decide the medal winners.
Pandelela and Mun Yee gave Malaysia the first ever top level diving medal when they picked up the bronze in the 2009 World Championships in Rome.
They went on to win the silver medal at the FINA World Series in Beijing earlier this year, losing by 17 points to China’s Chen Ruolin and Wang Hao. The Chinese duo are among the eight pairs that will compete in the final today.
Zhulian feels Pandelela and Mun Yee are experienced enough to know what to do and how to handle the pressure. “They have won medals in the past few years and know the score. There’s nothing else to do now but perform,” he said.
For Pandelela, this will be her second Olympic Games after Beijing 2008. Mun Yee is in her fourth outing having also taken part in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Pandelela said they were as ready as they could be and determined to prove that they are good enough for medals.
“Of course it will be tough and it isn’t just the Chinese that we have to worry about. The US and Canadian pairs are also very good,” she said. “But we are focused and won’t be distracted from our mission.”
Mun Yee is of course eyeing a medal to cap her Olympic run.
“This is my last Olympics and I would like to go out with a bang. I will give it my best shot,” she said in perfect sync with Pandelela.
Now for that perfect dive to give the nation an Olympic lift.
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