Two-year itch
Diver Wendy Ng Yan Yee qualified for the Olympic Games last July, the first Malaysian athlete to do so. But she will only see action in Tokyo next July after she turns 27 – because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Wendy is, however, not complaining.
She was one of the first to qualify for the Olympics and had been itching to see action in Tokyo since July 18 last year. Diver Wendy Ng Yan Yee will only be able to achieve her dream in July next year, after an agonising two-year wait.
She will be 27 by the time the Games swing into action.
It’s been a roller-coaster ride for Wendy but she is keeping her emotions in check. She’s just happy that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020 organisers have decided early on the new Olympic dates, from July 23-Aug 9, next year.
And she knows what she has to do to be ready for medal contention.
“I have to agree this is the best decision for everyone. The Olympics is not happening this year because everyone is fighting the virus.
“This is for the safety of us all, every one. We may be going through a tough time now but, ultimately, hard times creates strong people, and we will see the light at the end of the tunnel soon,” said Wendy, who made the Olympic cut after reaching the women’s 3m springboard individual final at the World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea last July.
But she is still chasing a second Olympics berth with partner Nur Dhabitah Sabri in the women’s 3m springboard synchro event.
“Like everyone else, we just have to wait for things to be finalised. We do not know when is the qualifying event for diving will take place and that will be my priority.
“There is more time to prepare now but I will take the same approach. I will continue to work hard to prepare for my third Olympics.
“At the moment, I am just doing what our coach (Li Rui) has instructed us to do while waiting at home.
“He gave us some workout routines to do. I also skip ropes and using detergent bottles as weights,” said Wendy, the Olympic finalist in the 3m springboard individual in Rio de Janeiro four years ago.
Besides Wendy, three other divers have made the Olympic cut so far. They are Pandelela Rinong, Leong Mun Yee and Dhabitah.