KUALA LUMPUR – Despite several setbacks and minor hiccups, the Paris Olympics kicked off a week ago with much fanfare, a stark contrast to the Tokyo Games, which were held largely behind closed doors at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic just three years ago.
While the world has moved on from the devastating pandemic that claimed over five million lives in 2020 and 2021, the virus is not entirely gone.
Over the past week, reports have emerged about athletes, including medal hopefuls, withdrawing from events after testing positive for Covid-19.
However, unlike in the past, these athletes do not need to undergo long periods of quarantine and are allowed to return and compete once they feel better.
Speaking to Scoop from Paris, Dr Jasmiza Khuzairi Jasme, the chief medical officer for the Malaysian contingent in France, explained how Malaysian athletes and officials were managing and taking precautions to avoid testing positive for Covid-19 or falling ill.
According to Jasmiza, who experienced the virus-plagued Paralympics in Tokyo three years ago, Covid-19 is no longer viewed as a major concern.
In fact, the National Sports Institute’s consultant sports physician explained that the virus was now being treated as if it were a normal flu with regular medication and temporary self-isolation if necessary.
However, this does not mean that the Malaysian contingent is completely lax with their health and medical checks.
“To be honest, it is not a big issue discussed during medical briefings by the organiser. Furthermore, France has not reported new cases prior to the Games.
“Covid is treated like a normal flu with regular medication and temporary self-isolation.
“However, we remain cautious and have taken the necessary precautions for our own athletes,” said Jasmiza.
It is understood that while there are no specific and compulsory regulations for screenings and tests, Malaysian athletes are encouraged to self-report if they experience any symptoms of illness.
“Learning from past experience, we encourage athletes to self-report symptoms. As chief medical officer, through our medical staff attached to the team, we address and identify if athletes have medical issues.
“During travel, especially on long journeys, we strictly advise wearing a face mask. Apart from that, we encourage our athletes to seek medical attention if they have symptoms,” added Jasmiza.
Malaysia’s men’s singles ace, Lee Zii Jia, is one of the few Malaysian athletes always seen wearing a face mask.
While it is important to move on with the times, it is also necessary to practise caution, especially when something as trivial as a flu bug could ruin one’s Olympic dreams.
“We don’t take things lightly, but as an endemic disease, we treat Covid-19 like other flu diseases.
“There are no rules and regulations from the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to exclude athletes infected with Covid.
“We have set up a medical room with recovery facilities, physiotherapy and sports massage for our athletes.
“At the end of the day, our aim is to prepare our athletes for their competition, to be in great shape physically and mentally,” Jasmiza explained. – August 2, 2024