‘IT’S GOING TO BE A VERY LONELY GAMES’
Mirnawan’s heart goes out to the athletes and the hosts
TRIPLE Olympian Mirnawan Nawawi, who has seen it all from Barcelona to Atlanta to Sydney, is feeling sad about Tokyo 2020.
He lamented that the so-called Greatest Show on Earth is going to be eerie, empty and atmosphere-less.
Life will be restricted to a bio-secure bubble, ubiquitous quarantines, endless testing and stringent SOPs.
No Olympic atmosphere and no foreign fans. Even local supporters are not expected to be around, No public places will be open to sports tourists, and for competitors, it’s straight from their hotel to venues and back.
That’s the price of humanity’s long and frustrating war against Covid-19.
“Japan was ready for the Olympics years ago, and everybody was waiting to watch the pinnacle of sporting excellence, organised by a well-known and tested host either on TV on in person at the stadia.
“But right now, it looks like it’s going to be a ‘lonely’ Games for athletes who thrive on cheering crowds to go faster, higher and stronger,” lamented former hockey star Mirnawan who played in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics.
Japan has barred foreign fans from the Tokyo Games, and will decide next month whether to allow local fans into venues.
Athletes must do two Covid-19 tests before boarding their flights to Tokyo. And then there will be a daily drilling of the nostril before training or competition.
“Over the years, some Olympic athletes have gone on to break records with the backing of a cheering crowd, but this time around, there is expected to be total silence at the venues.
“Athletics is one sport which thrives on fan support at the stadium and even hockey is the same. I remember that cheering crowds made me much stronger and determined while rushing into the semi-circle, and the end result was a goal for the nation, ” said Mirnawan, who was one of Malaysia’s most prolific scorers.
With many countries overwhelmed by the pandemic, there could be athletes not getting the chance to travel to Tokyo due to restrictions beyond their control.
“There are athletes training for years to qualify for the Olympics, priming themselves for the big day. But it looks like with Covid-19 making a comeback, some athletes might never reach Tokyo due to flight restrictions,” said Mirnawan.
“This is really sad, and it’s no fault of the organisers who have put in all the measures to make sure athletes, officials and volunteers are safe.”
Japan has announced a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other areas in a bid to curb rising Covid numbers, just three months before the Olympics.
For now, 12 athletes and 14 para athletes from Malaysia have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with the total number expected to be 68 athletes, with 35 competing in the Para Games.
They can expect a tough time just to reach their hotel rooms, and there will be isolation. They will miss the Olympic fanfare and the pulsating pulse of the Games.
Mirnawan said: “Without fans and the carnival-like atmosphere associated with such a big sporting event, Tokyo 2020 is going to be a very lonely Games and my heart goes out to the athletes and the hosts.”