Malaysia has won 13 Olympic medals overall – eight silver and five bronze – since first competing in the Olympics in 1956. Badminton ace Lee Chong Wei is Malaysia’s most successful athlete with three silver medals.

In a Facebook post, Yeoh noted how the country’s various athletes have “a fire in them” and are determined to succeed in their respective fields.

“Malaysia has a spark of flame in her that needs to be stoked. Our nation yearns for a golden age again.

“For us to achieve this, we must believe that Malaysia can rise onto the world stage and hold our own,” she said.

“As we enter into 2023, it has become clear to me that (winning) a gold (medal) in the 2024 Olympics is a must for Malaysia.”

She added that the country’s first Olympic gold medal has the potential to give rise to new national heroes, inspire a generation of champions, and uplift sports at all levels.

However, Yeoh stressed that the “Road to Gold” is not just about “bringing home a medal from Paris 2024”.

Instead, she said it would create a template for investment in athletes, help athletes build fanbases, foster a sustainable sports ecosystem, gather data for grassroots scouting, and improve the way the country measures sport development and success.