Recipe for safety
Chef de mission Chong Wei keeps athletes on guard with sound advice
MALAYSIA’S chef de mission to the Tokyo Olympics Datuk Lee Chong Wei has shared the best recipe with the athletes for staying safe and healthy before the Games – tread with caution and avoid injury at all costs. Coming from a badminton legend who cooked up a storm during his playing days, the message is no cliche. The three-time Olympics silver medallist recalls being injured less than 100 days before the 2012 Olympic Games in London and his ordeal is a lesson to all.
PETALING JAYA: Tread with great caution.
That is the advice of chef de mission Datuk Lee Chong Wei as athletes from various sports enter the 100-day countdown for the Tokyo Olympic Games, scheduled from July 23-Aug 8.
“Stay away from injury ... that’s the worst thing that can happen to you as we get closer to the Games,” said the three-time Olympic Games silver medallist.
The former world No.1 shuttler’s concern is understandable as he was injured less than 100 days before the 2012 Olympic Games in London and it made life difficult for him.
“I will not forget the challenges that I faced even days before the Olympics started ... the injury took away my joy and made everything one notch harder,” he said.
Chong Wei had injured his ankle just four minutes into his match against Peter-Gade Christensen in the first singles match of the Group C tie between Denmark and Malaysia during the Thomas Cup Finals in Wuhan, China, in May 2012.
Grimacing in pain, he was wheeled out and Malaysia eventually lost 2-3 to Denmark.
“I had less than 100 days before the London Olympics and my confidence was shattered. I had to rebuild my physical condition and more importantly, my mental preparation,” said Chong Wei.
“We had a three-week training stint at the Bath University before the London Games but I still could not push myself. My movement was restricted and I was frustrated.”
But for Chong Wei, it was teamwork that saw him defy the odds to reach the final for the second straight time before going down fighting to his nemesis Lin Dan of China in the final.
His physiotherapist Sandra Fiedler from Germany worked on his physical condition; both his coaches, chief coach Datuk Rashid Sidek and assistant Datuk Tey Seu Bock continued to motivate him when he was down; and his family and teammates stood by him.
“Sandra was there every day, working on my fitness. Sometimes, I would cry thinking of my predicament and the pain that I had to go through but coaches Rashid and Seu Bock will encourage me.
“If not for this excellent teamwork, I would not have gone far.
“I almost lost in the opening game (against Ville Lang of Finland). My movement was still limited and I was trailing 4-11 in the deciding game. I eventually won (21-8, 14-21, 21-11), and that removed my fear of aggravating the injury and gave me the confidence to go all the way.
“I had a two-point advantage to win the gold against Lin Dan but I lost. I was disappointed but winning the silver, after having gone through the ordeal that I went through, it made the medal special to me.
“I wish that no athlete has to go through the same thing as me. The best is to avoid injuries at all costs and stay safe.”
Chong Wei said the athletes were already facing a different kind of a challenge for this edition of the Olympics as they would be competing in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Handling oneself during this unprecedented time is tough. It’s a new experience, even for me. This is one of my main concerns for our athletes,” he said.
“It’s not easy to compete at an Olympic Games where there will be many restrictions and no spectators. Every player has to be strong to cope with the situation and deliver his or her best - it will indeed be a mental test.”