The Malaysian medical team that went to the last Olympics in Rio de Janeiro were used to preparing for eventualities like sickness or injuries to athletes. But Tokyo 2020 presents a new challenge as never before.
Even if they succeed in their mission — which is to keep all 30 athletes, 21 coaches and 12 officials safe from Covid-19 — there will be no medals for this unsung team led by chief medical officer Dr Kamarul Hashimy Hussien.
"This is surely going to be a different as well as difficult Olympics for everybody involved.
"Many new procedures need to be followed diligently to avoid any untoward incidents for all the Malaysians at the Games.
"From the word 'Go', the athletes and officials will undergo three consecutive days of PCR testing for Covid-19 before their flight schedules.
"Malaysia is still considered lucky as we are listed as Stage 2 (under Covid danger count) and need only three tests, while Indonesia is Stage One and needs to test its athletes for seven straight days before travelling to Tokyo.
"And upon arrival, there will be saliva tests everyday," said Dr Kamarul.
The consolation is that athletes who check into the Games Village need not be quarantined, and can even have their meals with the rest of the world athletes.
The only instruction from hosts Japan is that athletes who just check in need to sit apart from the others for three days while having meals.
"There's a designated corner in the Games Village mess hall where athletes who just arrive need to sit and eat for three days.
"There's no mingling around and even the gym and other facilities are out of bounds.
"However, training is allowed at designated venues and this is a bonus point," said Dr Kamarul.
Athletes and officials have to wear double-layer masks at all times, even though they are vaccinated.
"The Malaysian Olympics contingent (including coaches, officials and support staff) have all been vaccinated, but a double-layer mask is still compulsory when in public.
"The contingent will be provided with double-face mask (surgical and cloth) which provides 85 per cent prevention."
At the Malaysian camp, on their toes are two doctors, three physiotherapists, five masseurs, two sports scientists, two exercise physiologists. one dietician and one Covid-19 liaison official.
The BA of Malaysia will also bring their own psychologist.
"A Covid-19 liaison official is required in Japan, and he is in charge of monitoring athletes' movement, daily health status and saliva tests.
"We are also required to download two apps upon arrival in Japan, and one of them is to track movements via GPS and alert the person if he or she has been in areas where there are Covid cases.
"This is an extra precaution and an early alert so that action can be taken immediately," said Dr Kamarul.
For those who miss Malaysian food, it's not all that bad actually, as nasi goreng ikan masin and roti canai are available at the Games Village.
"There will be packed nasi goreng ikan masin on certain days to keep the Malaysian flavour and tickle the athletes' taste buds," said the good doctor.
With sightseeing not possible for touristy athletes and officials at the Tokyo Olympics as they are confined to their place of lodging and venues, hopefully, the Games Village has halal food and other Malaysian dishes and souvenirs for our athletes.
The main Games Village, which officially opened on July 13 in Harumi Futo, will house 10,000 athletes, coaches and contingent officials from 206 countries.
Meanwhile, every effort is made to deny entry to the virus.
The other two satellite games villages are in Enoshima for sailing and Shuzenji for cycling.