WITH the Wuhan coronavirus now a major threat in China, the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) have confirmed that some of the national divers based in Chengdu will return to Malaysia later this week.
Some divers are returning early to renew their visas as they hope to go back to China and continue their training stint.
However, the National Sports Council (NSC) will assess the situation in China first before granting them the green light.
Asum secretary general Mae Chen (pic) disclosed that the divers are currently in good health and have taken the necessary precautions to safeguard themselves from the outbreak in the country.
“Some of the divers are scheduled to return on Sunday. They are in Chengdu and so far they are ok. They are staying within (their) training venue and not going out,” said Mae yesterday.
The divers currently in Chengdu are Pandelela Rinong, Leong Mun Yee, Wendy Ng, Kimberly Bong and Enrique Maccartney. They are training under national coach Li Rui.
Pandelela and Mun Yee will be back on Sunday to renew their visas, while Wendy, Kimberly and Eric will return on Feb 13.
Former world champion Cheong Jun Hoong, however, will remain in Qinhuangdao under the guidance of former national coach Yang Zhuliang until March 14.
The next major assignment for the national divers is the World Cup in Tokyo in April.