THE national divers have all returned a negative Covid-19 result and will head for the Diving World Cup in Tokyo boosted by the absence of several top rivals.
The 10-member squad, who underwent a swab test on Saturday, received their negative results yesterday and are now cleared for their scheduled departure to Tokyo today for the World Cup on May 1-6.
Tokyo and the western Japan prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo are under a state of emergency until May 11 following a rise in Covid-19 cases.
As a result, Australia, an elite diving nation, have withdrawn from the competition, citing Covid-19 concerns.
China, the undisputed world champions, are also reportedly holding back on the World Cup, which serves as the final qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics, as they are only sending a handful of backup divers.
North Korea are also not competing as they have withdrawn from the Olympics.
"China are only sending their backup divers for the World Cup," said Malaysia Swimming (MS) secretary-general Mae Chen yesterday.
"They are doing their best to support the event, which has already been postponed twice. However, they are not going all out since their main divers have already qualified for the Olympics."
China have already secured a maximum of 12 quota slots for the Tokyo Olympics on July 23-Aug 8.
The absence of China's elite divers and Australia will definitely boost Malaysia's chances of finishing in the medals and securing additional slots for the Olympics.
The mission will now be less taxing for former world champion Cheong Jun Hoong, in her first international competition since undergoing knee surgery in 2018, as she hopes to secure an Olympic berth in the women's 10m platform individual event.
Jun Hoong, who turned 31 on April 16, and Pandelela Rinong, who has already secured an Olympic ticket, have been registered for the platform event.
Mae believes the state of emergency in Tokyo will not disrupt the competition.
The top-18 divers in individual events and the top four in synchro disciplines in Tokyo will qualify for the Olympics.
"It is already a very strict bubble, and everything has been planned out accordingly by the Tokyo organisers," said Mae.
"We are only allowed to be in our hotel rooms and the venue. We are not even allowed to check out earlier after the competition.
"Upon arrival, the athletes will have to take another Covid-19 swab test. They will then head into the bubble environment if their results are negative.
"After that, they will only be allowed to travel to the pool and back to the room. Meals will also be delivered to the rooms with further swab tests every three days," added Mae.
The 10-member squad comprise Pandelela, Jun Hoong, Leong Mun Yee, Wendy Ng, Nur Dhabitah Sabri (women), Chew Yiwei, Ooi Tze Liang, Syafiq Puteh, Jellson Jabillin and Hanis Nazirul Jaya Surya (men).
For the record, Malaysia have only secured four, comprising five divers, of the available 12 quota spots for the Olympics.