Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s badminton legend – Lee Chong Wei who is also Malaysia’s chef de mission (CDM) for the Tokyo Olympics, has urged Malaysian athletes to stay strong despite uncertainties surrounding the Tokyo Olympics.
“Indeed this is an unprecedented Olympics. I competed in previous Olympics once every four years, but this is such a special one, it has been delayed for one year and will take place five years after the Rio Olympics,” said Lee to reporters at Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM).
“Of course, it’s tough for athletes to prepare for the Tokyo Games and they have to stay mentally strong,” added Lee.
“In Tokyo, we have to do COVID-19 swab test every day, we will be required to quarantine for three days after we arrive in Tokyo, and there are no spectators during matches.”
“Even though this year’s All England was held without spectators as well, but during my time, this has never happened.”
“We can only move between athletes’ village and the stadium, and we are not allowed to go out for sightseeing in Japan.”
The 38-year-old former World No. 1 will not be traveling with the Malaysian contingent to Tokyo amid the COVID-19 pandemic and also based on advice from medical experts. Lee was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer in 2018. Although he had recovered from the illness, which had led to his retirement from badminton in 2019, it’s completely understandable that he had to make the painful decision to skip the Tokyo Games due to health reasons.
Despite not going to Tokyo, he has accepted the requests from Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Ministry and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to remain as the CDM. He will be carrying out his duties remotely through online platforms.
