PETALING JAYA: When Lee Chong Wei was first appointed as the chef de mission (CDM) for the Tokyo Olympics two years ago, he did not envisage that he will be carrying out his duties – from home. The 38-year-old badminton legend has confirmed that he will not be travelling with the Malaysian contingent to the postponed Games from July 23-Aug 8, but would continue assuming his CDM role remotely. The decision did not come as a surprise as it was not ideal for him to travel amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Chong Wei was diagnosed with nose cancer in 2018 and it led to his premature retirement a year later. “We’re living in a different world right now, even the world leaders hold their meetings online.”In Chong Wei’s absence, OCM secretary-general Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib has been tasked to manage the contingent’s affairs in Tokyo.

Source: The Star July 06, 2021 23:03 UTC