There comes a time in each life when one must think to oneself, “This is gonna be hard. I could really use my own personal cheering section right now.” For members of the team from Thailand, that thought has been heard, and a solution provided. Now we can all hear the wild support of Thailand’s state-sponsored super fans!
This group of about a dozen fans has been flown into the Rio Olympics by the Sports Authority of Thailand. The government agency, which exists within the Ministry of Culture, Education and Sport, is responsible for sports at all levels. The agency provides support to participants in grassroots club teams and to high performance athletes. It is supporting competitors in Rio by providing an Olympic spirit squad. The government has paid for airfare, lodgings, and a small stipend for the super fans. All the fans have to do in return is cheer on Thailand’s athletes with all the noise they can muster!
The group seems to be spearheaded by 50-year-old Bancha Khamthong. He was an obvious pick for the cheer squad, having been to four Olympic Games. He is among a group of five fans who dress in traditional Thai costumes to show their support, and considers himself Thailand’s number one fan! Khamthong, who prefers the title of “Mr. Thailand”, believes that his job is not only to cheer for the athletes, but for his country.
The fans traveled 10,000 miles in order to welcome their country's athletes to the arena, and cheer on their efforts. When Ratchanok Intanon took to the court for her first match Thursday morning, the fans first made themselves known with thunderous cheers of support. Pimsiri Sirikaew won silver in weightlifting, remarked that the super fans were “really loud!"
It seems that these super fans and their super cheering are producing definite results! Thailand has already received a total of four medals, matching their medal total from the London Games of 2012. These wins include two golds in weightlifting. I think it's safe to say Thailand's super fans are winning gold in the arena of encouragement and enthusiasm
I absolutely love the idea of state-sponsored super fans! Thailand is making an investment in their Olympic team, and in their country's spirit. We could all use our own personal cheer squad every now and again, and athletes who have worked their entire lives to make it to Rio deserve the support of the countries that they represent. The Olympics are a time for competition, but also a time of hope and excitement for countries all around the world and in all states of development. Thailand is setting a joyful, dare I say cheerful, example with the world as its witness. Happy Olympics everyone!
