“Sportsmanship, teamwork, and striving for excellence.” These values are not just words. They are embodied right here at the Olympic Council of Malaysia Headquarters.
The Olympic Council of Malaysia or OCM is the National Olympic Committee representing Malaysia. It is also responsible for Malaysia’s representation at the Commonwealth Games. You can find the OCM headquarters on the Mezzanine Floor. It is located in Wisma OCM. The building is on Jalan Hang Jebat in Kuala Lumpur.
The Olympic Council of Malaysia has a rich history. It started in 1953 as the Federation of Malaya Olympic Council. This makes it a volunteer-based non-profit and non-government organization. The FMOC held its first meeting on April 24 1954. Hockey sent 3 representatives. Athletics sent 4. The Malayan Bore Rifle Association sent an observer.
The International Olympic Committee recognized the FMOC in May 1954. This recognition marked a significant step for sports in Malaysia. In 1963 Singapore North Borneo and Sarawak joined the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia. On May 5 1964 the Singapore Olympic and Sports Council, the Sarawak Sports Olympic Committee, the Sabah Olympic Committee and the FMOC merged. They formed the Olympic Council of Malaysia.
Singapore ceased to be part of Malaysia on August 9 1965. It re-established its own National Olympic Committee. Malaysia has a proud record at the Olympic Games. The nation first participated in 1956. It has sent athletes to every Summer Olympic Games since then. Malaysia boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics. Malaysia debuted at the Winter Olympic Games in 2018.
Malaya competed in the 1956 and 1960 Games. Sabah sent an independent team to the 1956 Games as North Borneo. Singapore competed at the Olympics from 1948 to 1960. After forming Malaysia in 1963, the nation competed under that name in 1964. Malaysia inherited Malaya’s code MAL until 1988. Then it started competing under its present code MAS.
Malaysian athletes have won 15 Olympic medals. This includes 11 in badminton. They also secured 2 in diving and 2 in cycling. Jalani Sidek and Razif Sidek were the first Malaysians to win Olympic medals. They are two of the Sidek brothers. They won at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Malaysia has won the most Olympic medals without earning gold.
The National Olympic Committee for Malaya was created in 1953. The International Olympic Committee recognized it in 1954. This became the National Olympic Committee for Malaysia.
The Olympic Council of Malaysia continues to promote sports. It supports athletes. It upholds the Olympic spirit. Remember the dedication and passion that fuel every athlete’s journey as you stand here.