The very first time Malaysia participated in the Summer Olympics was back in 1964, wayyy before any of you were born. Since then, we’ve managed to participate in almost every Summer Olympic Games up ’til this day. Woohoo!
In fact, our athletes have proudly managed to win the country a total of 11 medals throughout the years, three of which belong to our badminton legend Dato’ Lee Chong Wei.
Source: OlympicChannel
Fast-forward four years and now we’re just months away from Tokyo Olympics 2020 and Malaysia, along with the rest of the world, are gearing up to cheer for their respective countries’ superheroes once again.
Before that, however, how about winning a chance to revisit the past Olympics stadiums situated in Rio, London, and more?
For real! If you’re a Maybank cardholder, you could win yourself a trip for TWO to revisit the iconic London Stadium, the Maracana Stadium, and the Bird’s Nest! Here’s how:
- Sign up for a Maybank Visa card if you don’t already have one
- SMS WIN<space>12-digit NRIC Number to 66628
- And start spending with your card!
Source: BMRC
Every RM100 spent in a single transaction on overseas retail or e-commerce counts as 1x entry. The more you spend, the higher your chances of winning! Three winners will be selected.
Hurry and start spending though! Contest ends 29 February 2020. So make sure you do all your Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day shopping with your Maybank Visa Card okay!
And ICYMI, here are some of the incredible things you can learn, see and experience at these iconic Olympic stadiums:
1. Check out the world’s largest “Bird’s Nest” ever
Source: ArchitectBoy
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Designed in such a way to mimic the Bird’s Nest–a popular Chinese delicacy–this architectural work of art in China held the 2008 Olympic Games. It was during this Olympics that Dato Lee Chong Wei won our nation’s first medal in twelve years.
In terms of the design of this stadium, it’s extremely environmentally friendly with its energy-conserving design that includes natural ventilation, natural lighting, renewable geothermal energy resources, and the use of solar photovoltaic power generation technology. This National Stadium will be used again for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
2. Visit the stadium built on its very own island: The London Stadium
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Source: Evening Standard
Fun fact: The stadium for the London Olympics 2012 was actually the second Olympic stadium ever built in the city. The first one was built in 1908 when Rome (the original 1908 Olympics host) experienced a volcanic eruption and London offered to take over as host. This first stadium was built in under a year.
The 2012 venue, however, took three years to build and cost £500 million. It’s also very unique because it’s situated on its very own island as it was built between rivers and tributaries including the Old River Lea and parts of the Bow Back rivers as well as St Thomas Creek.
Stadium visitors would have to cross one of six footbridges located around the stadium’s perimeter in order to get inside.
Today, the London Stadium has been transformed into the home of West Ham United and UK Athletics.
3. Stand in awe of the second-largest stadium in South America: The Maracanã Stadium
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What started off as a stadium to host the FIFA World Cup in 1950 ended up becoming the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics as well.
When the Maracanã Stadium was first built, it took only two short years in order to be completed in time for the World Cup. Construction was only fully completed 15 years later in 1965.
In 2010 however, major renovations for the stadium took place until 2013 and the Maracanã Stadium became Brazil’s largest stadium ever since. Needless to say, this stadium is Brazil’s source of pride and has held record-breaking crowds specifically for live concerts by Tina Turner and Paul McCartney. Each concert drew in over 180,000 people.
It goes without saying that all these locations are more than just stadiums. They all hold historic meaning and are all the pride and joy of their own countries. These stadiums also happen to be very popular tourist attractions! So if you’re keen to give these places a visit, make sure you join the Maybank Year End Super Rewards contest! You have nothing to lose!
Sign up for a Maybank Visa card now and maybe we’ll see you in London, Rio or Beijing!
