THE PARTY has ended in the rain. Athletes and officials from all Asian countries have left Indonesia gradually, according to the match schedule of each sport. There are those who immediately go home after completing the match, there are those who have to wait because they enter the final and end on September 2, 2018, or a few hours before the closing ceremony.
There were also athletes from various countries who attended until the closing ceremony, mingled with other athletes and spectators who filled the Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta. They participated in celebrating the success of the 2018 Asian Games which took place in Jakarta and Palembang from 18 August to 2 September 2018. Competition in various venue was forgotten and they dissolved in togetherness.
As Vice President Jusuf Kalla said at the closing ceremony, Indonesia won three successes in the 18th Asian Games, namely the success of facilities and infrastructure, successful implementation, and successful achievements. Indonesia scored history because it won 31 gold medals, 24 silver medals and 42 bronze medals, a total of 98 medals. Most during participation in the Asian Games.
President Joko Widodo kept his promise to immediately withdraw bonuses for athletes who won medals. Even the media in Indonesia reported athletes who did not reach also received awards. Bonuses totaling up to Rp1.5 billion are transferred directly to the account of each athlete without tax deduction. The amount of the bonus and the speed of the disbursement process are also unprecedented.
After success in facilities and infrastructure, successful implementation, and successful success, what then?
ATTRACTING the narrative of Indonesian athletes, the men's singles badminton gold medalist, Jonathan Cristie. According to him, he only won the gold medal. When he got off the podium, he had to start from scratch again because he was not the hero.
That is, the athletes, coaches, and the entire official don't be lulled by the achievements. They must start practicing again with more discipline, harder, to prepare themselves for the next event. Indonesian athletes must participate in many tournaments to increase flight hours. This applies to all sports, especially the branches competed in the Olympics.
From the aspect of facilities, all facilities that have been built at the state's expense, should not be abandoned and then damaged. It's no secret, Indonesia is a nation that is able to build but weak in caring for. During this time, many sports facilities and public facilities were built magnificently and expensive but were damaged because they could not be treated.
With the target of hosting the 2032 Olympics, Indonesia should already have a blueprint for sports facilities and infrastructure that continue to be improved and maintained well so that they can be used as Olympic venues. Thus, the target of becoming a host can be realized. While waiting for the determination of the 2023 Olympics, various side events such as Asian championships, world championships, SEA Games and other events can be held in Indonesia.
Various weaknesses and shortcomings that occurred during the implementation of the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang were evaluated and addressed so that the next event would be better. the blueprint towards the 2023 Olympics should also include in terms of athletes' achievements, building and maintaining facilities and infrastructure, including the Athlete's House which is now empty. With consistency being maintained, Indonesia can be optimistic forwards to 2023 Olympics.[]
Setelah Asian Games, Apa Lagi?
PESTA sudah berakhir di bawah guyuran hujan. Para atlet dan official dari semua negara Asia sudah meninggalkan Indonesia secara bertahap, sesuai jadwal pertandingan masing-masing cabang olahraga. Ada yang langsung pulang setelah menyelesaikan pertandingan, ada yang harus menunggu karena masuk ke final dan berakhir pada 2 September 2018 atau beberapa jam sebelum upacara penutupan dilakukan.
Ada juga atlet dari berbagai negara yang hadir sampai pada upacara penutupan, berbaur dengan atlet lain dan penonton yang memenuhi Stadion Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta. Mereka ikut merayakan keberhasilan Asian Games 2018 yang berlangsung di Jakarta dan Palembang sejak 18 Agustus – 2 September 2018. Persaingan di berbagai arena terlupakan dan mereka larut dalam kebersamaan.
Seperti disampaikan Wakil Presiden Jusuf Kalla dalam upacara penutupan, Indonesia mendapatkan tiga sukses dalam Asian Games ke-18, yakni sukses sarana dan prasarana, sukses penyelenggaraan, dan sukses prestasi. Indonesia mencetak sejarah karena meraih 31 medali emas, 24 medali perak, dan 42 medali perunggu, jumlah total 98 medali. Terbanyak selama keikutsertaan dalam Asian Games.
Presiden Joko Widodo menepati janjinya untuk segera mencairkan bonus atlet yang meraih medali. Bahkan media di Indonesia memberitakan, atlet yang tidak meraih pun mendapatkan penghargaan. Bonus yang jumlahnya sampai Rp1,5 miliar itu ditransfer langsung ke rekening masing-masing atlet tanpa pemotongan pajak. Besarnya bonus dan cepatnya proses pencairan juga belum pernah terjadi sebelumnya.
Setelah sukses di sarana dan prasana, sukses penyelenggaraan, serta sukses pretasi, selanjutnya apa?
MENARIK penuturan atlet Indonesia peraih medali emas cabang bulutangkis nomor tunggal putra, Jonathan Cristie. Menurutnya, ia hanya menjadi juara ketika dikalungkan medali emas. Saat turun dari podium, dia harus mulai dari nol lagi sebab ia bukan siapa-siapa.
Artinya, para atlet, pelatih, dan seluruh official jangan terbuai dengan prestasi yang sudah diraih. Mereka harus mulai berlatih lagi dengan lebih disiplin, lebih keras, untuk mempersiapkan diri dalam even berikutnya. Atlet Indonesia harus banyak mengikuti turnamen untuk memperbanyak jam terbang. Ini berlaku untuk semua cabang olahraga, terutama cabang-cabang yang dipertandingkan di Olimpiade.
Dari aspek sarana, seluruh fasilitas yang sudah dibangun dengan biaya negara, jangan sampai terbengkalai dan kemudian rusak. Sudah bukan rahasia lagi, Indonesia adalah bangsa yang mampu membangun tetapi lemah dalam merawat. Selama ini, banyak fasilitas olahraga dan fasilitas publik yang dibangun dengan megah dan mahal, tetapi rusak karena tidak bisa dirawat.
Dengan target menjadi tuan rumah Olimpiade 2032, Indonesia seharusnya sudah memiliki cetak biru mengenai sarana dan prasarana olahraga yang terus ditingkatkan standarnya dan dirawat dengan baik agar bisa digunakan sebagai tempat penyelenggaraan Olimpiade. Dengan demikian, target menjadi tuan rumah bisa terwujud. Sambil menunggu masa penentuan Olimpiade 2023, berbagai even sampingan seperti kejuaraan Asian, kejuaraan dunia, SEA Games dan even lainnya bisa dilaksanakan di Indonesia.
Berbagai kelemahan dan kekurangan yang terjadi selama penyelenggaraan Asian Games di Jakarta dan Palembang, dievaluasi dan dibenahi agar even berikutnya semakin baik. cetak biru menuju Olimpiade 2023 seharusnya juga termasuk dalam hal prestasi atlet, membangun dan menjaga sarana dan prasarana, termasuk Wisma Atlet yang kini kosong. Dengan konsistensi yang terus terjaga, maka Indonesia bisa optimis menatap Olimpiade 2023.[]