IN an ideal world, Datuk Lee Chong Wei would have wanted the delayed Tokyo Olympics to be his swansong.
But it wasn’t meant to be, as his illustrious 20-year career came to a premature end when he was diagnosed with nose cancer at the end of 2018.
Still, all was not lost for the Malaysian hero, who was instantly appointed as Chef de Mission (CDM) for the Malaysian contingent.
Like a child in a candy store, Chong Wei was excited to make his fifth Olympic appearance, though in a different role altogether.
However, despite the saying that lightning never strikes twice, it did in poor Chong Wei’s case when the deadly Covid-19 hit full-scale last year.
Under pressure, the International Olympics Committee (IOC) had no choice but to delay the Tokyo Games by a year.
Chong Wei thought long and hard before deciding not to make the trip due to health-related concerns.
Rightly so, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the Sports Ministry accepted Chong Wei’s reasoning but insisted that he held on to the CDM post, even if it meant staying in touch with the Malaysian contingent virtually.
And as always the case, the Super Series king said, “Yes”.
In a chat with Timesport recently, the 39-year-old said: “It was a difficult decision because as CDM, you are expected to be on the ground with the Malaysian contingent at the Games, or at least that is what I am used to.
“Due to Covid-19, I had to weigh the risk factors. My family was not very happy either because I would be putting my health at risk.
“The OCM and the Sports Ministry understood my situation, but they still insisted that I hold on to my position.
“Then, I thought to myself. Over the past year, everything had been done virtually. Whether it was meetings or press conferences, they were all online. It was not impossible.
“I said OK, and here I am being the CDM who will be communicating with the Malaysian contingent from back home.”
The three-time Olympic silver medallist has been keeping himself up to date with the situation in Tokyo and had made the effort to visit several athletes, including the national badminton squad, and was present at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Saturday night for the grand send-off of the Malaysian contingent.
The following day, Chong Wei even shared an emotional message on his Instagram account.
“I had mixed feelings last night. It had always been me waving goodbye and flying off into battle.
“This time, I am sending the battleship off, waving along my hopes and prayers.
“Safe flight and safe fight,” posted the former World No 1.
Chong Wei said he will monitor the developments in Tokyo closely and be in constant contact with secretariat chief Datuk Nazifuddin Najib, also the OCM secretary-general.
“I may not be in Tokyo physically, but I have Datuk Nazifuddin who will act on my behalf there.
“I promise to do my best for the Malaysian athletes who will be waving our flag proud for the next two weeks,” added Chong Wei.
The delayed Tokyo Olympics get underway on Friday and end on Aug 8.
Source: New Straits Times
