VETERAN sports administrator believes the Tokyo Olympics should be cancelled but is expecting Malaysians to challenge for medals in Japan.
Kok Chi feels that it is not right to hold the world's premier sporting event behind closed doors on July 23-Aug 8.
Hosts Japan have confirmed that most events will be held without spectators except for venues in Shizuoka and Miyagi, where up to 50 per cent capacity crowds will be allowed.
Tokyo will be placed under a state of emergency throughout the Games to keep the spread of Covid-19 in check.
"My personal view is that the games should have been cancelled," said Kok Chi yesterday.
"There is no sport if no spectators and supporters are cheering on their favourite athletes and teams.
"How can the athletes be motivated to do their best?
"However, I suppose the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have their reasons (for continuing with the event)."
Despite the Covid-19 related challenges they have and will continue to face, Kok Chi believes that Malaysian athletes have a chance of winning medals at the Games and could potentially end the nation's long wait for a first Olympic gold.
"Of course, there are hopes and opportunities for our 30 Malaysian athletes to win Olympic medals, including gold.
"The important thing is for them to do their best," added the former Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary-general.
"Tokyo 2020 is totally different from past Olympic Games due to Covid 19.
"Many athletes have withdrawn from the Games, which in a way makes it less competitive.
"In any case, winning or not, our athletes should try their best and make Malaysia proud."
While there have been a number of athlete withdrawals related to Covid-19, the sports in which Malaysia are hoping to win medals — track cycling, badminton and diving have not been affected so far.
When asked, Kok Chi said it was hard to judge how well the national sporting authorities (the Sports Ministry, National Sports Council and OCM) had prepared the national contingent throughout the pandemic period.
"The pandemic has changed the whole Olympic preparation and training programme of not only Malaysian athletes but also of athletes all over the world," said Kok Chi.
"It is therefore difficult to judge (how well the sporting authorities have done).
"There were lots of constraints beyond the control of the Sports Ministry, NSC and the OCM.
"A lot also depends on what our rivals have and are doing."
Most Olympic-bound athletes have been training under a bubble at various national sports complex facilities across the country, including Bukit Jalil, Bukit Kiara, Kampung Pandan and Langkawi, since the middle of last year.
Cyclists Azizulhasni Awang and Shah Firdaus Sahrom have also returned to Malaysia from their base in Melbourne for the Games.