KUALA LUMPUR: National cycling ace Mohd Azizulhasni Awang respects the decision by Datuk Lee Chong Wei - the country's Chef de Mission for the 2020 Olympic Games - not to join the national contingent in Tokyo due to health reasons.

The 33-year-old cyclist who was also part of the national contingent with Chong Wei in three previous Olympics since Beijing 2008, said he understood the situation of the former world number one shuttler.

"So I think it is a good decision from him not to go to Tokyo due to the health factor, and the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. We also know what the situation is like in Tokyo, the cases are high there.

"I wish him (Chong Wei) a good rest and hope everything goes well for him," he said during a virtual press conference on his preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican confirmed on Monday that Chong Wei would not be going to Japan due to health reasons, with doctors advising him not to travel abroad.

However, the country's former badminton ace will remain as CDM and monitor the athletes' performance virtually throughout the tournament, while Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary-general Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib will manage the contingent in Tokyo.

Chong Wei was made CDM in June 2019, shortly after he announced his retirement due to nose cancer.

Meanwhile, Mohd Azizulhasni said the decision to appoint Mohd Nazifuddin was apt, as it was necessary to have someone manage matters related to the national contingent.

"I think it is relevant, because there has to be someone there. Based on my experience, when we arrive at the Olympic Games Village later, there are bound to be some issues that we cannot avoid.

"Team managers and coaches will also refer to the CDM, the CDM's job is to contact the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the organisers in Japan to help smoothen things out for our contingent throughout the Games. We have to be prepared for all that," said the 2017 world keirin champion, who will be competing in the sprint and keirin events.

Malaysia will be represented by 30 athletes, who will compete in 10 sports at the Games scheduled from July 23 to Aug 8.

-- BERNAMA