Malaysia’s most decorated Olympian and badminton legend Lee Chong Wei is no longer a contestant but he is the chef de mission (CDM) and he believes the Tokyo Olympic Games will be very special – and very unpredictable – because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Tokyo Olympic Games is very special,” Xinhua quoted Lee as saying in an interview with media from China via video link.
Citing the experience of Malaysian athletes, Lee said those taking part in the Games have made great efforts and have gone through severe mental tests, as they had to train in isolation, undergo constant Covid-19 screening and will have to play without spectators in Tokyo.
“This is very different from the four Olympic Games that I took part in,” he said.
Chong Wei has won three silver medals for Malaysia in three consecutive Olympic Games. But even a veteran like him says it’s difficult to predict the outcome of the badminton competition, as the form and shape of many shuttlers remain unknown due to the lack of international tournaments since the outbreak.
“The last major tournament was the All England Open in March, in which many players were absent,” he said.
“For example, the Chinese badminton team hasn’t participated in international tournaments for over a year. So, we simply do not know whether Chen Long, Shi Yuqi or other players are in good shape or what their latest tactics are,” said Chong Wei, referring to the two Chinese men’s singles players.
But in general, Chong Wei sees host Japan and China in better position as they are strong in all five disciplines. “All I can say is that this Olympic Games is very special, and I think anything can happen,” he said.
Chong Wei was diagnosed with nose cancer in 2018 and announced his retirement in 2019 before being appointed as the chef de mission for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
He is now in good health but decided against travelling to Tokyo due to concerns over the pandemic, but he will cheer for the Malaysian Olympians and provide advice from Malaysia, hoping that they would finally complete his unfinished quest to win the country’s first Olympic gold medal .
Chong Wei said he has mostly settled down to life after retirement, but the passion to play would still arise whenever he watches one of his matches against Lin Dan, his nemesis from China.
“We are still in touch,” said Chong Wei, “Since we are both retired, we can finally enjoy watching others play.”
One of the epic battles between Chong Wei and Lin Dan was the men’s singles final in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games when Lin Dan clinched his first Olympic gold.
Despite the defeat, Chong Wei said he would never forget the experience in Beijing, and he was very impressed by the perfect organisation and facilities of the Beijing Olympic Games.
“I have participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as an athlete. Although I won’t have that opportunity for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, I still want to be there and feel it,” he added. China will host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing less than 200 days away.