LEE Chong Wei hopes he will still return from next year’s Olympics with a gold medal though he has retired.
That ‘golden success’, if it happens, will be in his capacity as the chef-de-mission of the Malaysian contingent for the Tokyo Olympics.
‘As I did not win an Olympic gold as an athlete, I hope this time I will get a gold as Malaysia’s chef-de-mission,’said Chong Wei, who won the men’s singles silver in the last three Olympics.
Yesterday, Chong Wei was among many athletes who celebrated National Sports Month with Malaysians.
The former World No 1 said he understands the pressure faced by the national athletes in major events like the Olympics.
Chong Wei’s advice to Tokyo-bound Olympians is to be mentally strong, take care of their health and avoid injuries.
He said it is too early to say whether Malaysia can win a badminton gold as the Olympics are still nine months away.
Earlier, on behalf of the Lee Chong Wei Foundation, he handed over RM1.4 million to BA of Malaysia (BAM) and RM600,000 to the National Sports Council to help Malaysian athletes prepare for the Olympics.
‘I have always wanted to help Malaysian sports. I hope to contribute and do my part,’he said.