Kuala Lumpur: An Olympic in a pandemic with face masks, face shields and hand sanitisers can be seen everywhere.
Nevertheless, it has finally begun after being postponed earlier. They don’t appear to be like previous Games but they are definitely here.
At last. There will be no voice cheering their heroes who will later go on the rostrum to receive their medals because the stadiums and arenas will be devoid of spectators.
But for the more than 11,300 athletes from 207 countries who will compete over the next few weeks, the goal will be the same: to win the medal they’ve been working so hard for.
“I think it will be a moment of joy and relief when entering the stadium, a moment of joy in particular for the athletes because I know how much they are longing for this moment,” said International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.
So, despite the fact that the world is still besieged by Covid-19, which is still creating devastation, and the process of organising is equally challenging and difficult, Tokyo Olympic 2021 remains the biggest game on earth.
It will continue to be the focus of the entire world, with all eyes glued to the television screens as the heroes of the participating countries fight for honour and glory.
It is also still a source of hope for Malaysia. Will this “strange” Olympics bring the quest for gold to an end? Come on, Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, Pandelala Rinong, Lee Zii Jia, or whoever. A single gleam of gold can bring cheer to a troubled country.
