Kuala Lumpur: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought huge disruption to sports events worldwide as many of them have been canceled or postponed. No one knows how exactly the COVID-19 pandemic would impact athletes participating in this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
With 30 days left before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics on July 23, 2021, Malaysia’s badminton legend and also the most successful Malaysian Olympian – Lee Chong Wei, shared some valuable advice on his social media pages for Malaysian athletes who are striving to make their country proud in Tokyo.
“In a normal sports calendar, preparation for Olympics usually took a year or two. That’s when you went through the Olympic qualifiers. That’s when you gained your Olympic points. That’s when you try to break the Olympic qualifying time. As the event got nearer, most likely you would sharpen your skills , toughen your drills and strengthen your mental strength in special programs organized by MSN or your respective sport bodies.
Today marks 30 days before the biggest sports event in the world. I admit this time might be different. A pandemic-torn Olympic. Preparation are hardly like before. But the difference might turn out kind for some , especially the darkhorses. It’s the time for the only the tough to get going.
Coincides with the Olympic Day as well, I would like to send a “war-cry like” to fellow Malaysian Olympians. “Be an eternal Malaysia hero”.
When I beat Lin Dan in my last ever Olympic victory match, nothing beat the proudness and honour. I was dead tired at that time in the semis. I thought I would have lost to Lin Dan again. But I told myself not to let down the 32million prayers back home. Giving me the extra mile to clinch the winning point. How the country celebrated was still fresh in my mind. Imagine the national eruption if my tired body didn’t give way and I could beat Chen Long the day after?
I missed my chance. It’s your turn now, comrades.
Remember. Everytime you wear the national crest and enter the arena, tell yourself that you are not alone. Behind you together marching in with you, are 32 million our people praying for you, cheering for you.
Be a Malaysian…..hero.”
Malaysia first participated in the Olympic Games in 1964 and has not won gold medals in the Olympics. Its athletes have won a total of 11 Olympic medals, 8 in badminton, 2 in diving, and 1 in cycling. Prior to 1964, athletes from Malaya and North Borneo competed as separate independent teams at the 1956 Games.
