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New Tokyo 2020 dates set

Mar 31, 2020

The Tokyo Olympics has its new dates. 

The Games will now be held from July 23rd to August 8th, 2021, after being postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

In an official statement, the IOC said the decision was made based on three main considerations: namely to protect the health of athletes and everyone involved, thus preventing the spread of COVID-19; to safeguard the interests of athletes and of Olympic sport; as well as safeguard the global international sports calendar. 

The  new dates have been hailed by sports organisations around the world, despite the fact that it does affect other major events scheduled in 2021 and 2022, but the fates of those events will be determined later. 

The Games, which will still be called Tokyo 2020, is now being billed as the expression of humanity’s triumph over the coronavirus. 

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Rashid Sidek has high hopes for Lee Zii Jia

Rashid Sidek insists the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics means great news for national men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia.

The former badminton ace says he wouldn’t be surprised if the 22-year-old brings home the gold medal for Malaysia next year, as he definitely has the potential to do so.

Rashid had earlier tipped Japan’s Kento Momota to claim the top honour, but things have changed, especially since Momota is still recovering from his fatal car accident in KL back in January.

While the circumstances are unfortunate, Rashid thinks Zii Jia should use this to his advantage, as it’s now a clearer path on the road to Tokyo.

However, Rashid hopes that Zii Jia will not be pressured to fulfill our Olympic dream, and that he will just focus on sharpening his skills.

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Helmut Marko wants Red Bull drivers to get coronavirus

An official at Formula 1 team Red Bull has proposed holding a training camp that would expose drivers to the coronavirus, so they could build immunity to the disease while the season is suspended. 

The idea by team adviser and former racer Helmut Marko, has been rejected by the team. 

Marko said it would be good for the team’s drivers to be infected, so they could recover in time for scheduled races later in the year, and be fully prepared for a difficult world championship. 

Meanwhile, Marko did also praise the idea of young drivers getting involved in the new Virtual Grands Prix to stay sharp, as it somewhat allows them to focus on their fitness.