Sports have always been a convergence of sorts, cutting across barriers and dimensions. The Olympics, being the best, cannot afford to let the world down. Indeed, they did not.
To most who will not make it to Tokyo either way did not know the difference. The telecast did not seem to highlight the differences.
Not many athletes had their face masks on or observed the mandatory physical distancing. So the Games went on to the delight of the audience in-person or virtually.
Malaysians were hopeful too for some medals, although many secretly wished for a gold or two. Why not?
The likes of Pandelela Rinong and Datuk Azizulhasni Awang are world champions in their own right. They have tasted top accolades elsewhere. But not at the Olympics. So the time could be now.
Unfortunately, it was not to be until the very last day, when Azizul had to bear the burden of delivering the only gold.
From all counts, this was on the cards. The burden became even heavier when his cycling mate met an accident, and had to contend with trying his level best.
Come 9.45am on the last day of the Games, Malaysians fixed their eyes on the Pocket Rocketman.
But, as fate had it, the event turned out to be not an "ordinary" one when the lead cyclist from Britain sped as fast as he could, leaving the rest of the group tens of metres behind.
This unusual "strategy" had put Azizul in a difficult position to catch up. All was not lost, however, when he came out of the pack to grab silver, the best of the two medals that our contingent brought home.
Congratulations to all of them and Azizul in particular for doing what he did against all odds.
More so because Malaysians need to keep their hope high not only in facing the coronavirus, but also the chaos during parliamentary sessions that saw among the worst behaviours in recent times.
Demonstrations were held outside against the standard operating procedures that people are required to obey. Except for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who admitted that the assembly was "wrong" and apologised for it, nobody else said something similar to the dismay of the rakyat.
There are other lessons that Tokyo can offer us, if we care to reflect deeply.
Foremost is how a nation can successfully mount one of the prestigious sporting events in the face of the world's most devastating pandemic.
In several ways, it is an arduous task if not for the spirit of solidarity that cuts across every nation and community.
In addition, the only "Victory Ceremony" held during the closing ceremony was also an eye-opener when the marathon runners, both men and women, were held as a symbolic piece.
The former witnessed the silver and bronze medalists being refugees in the Netherlands and Belgium, respectively.
The gold medal went to a Kenyan. Meaning to say that Somalia had "lost" two medals no thanks to the mass and worst migrations that are plaguing the globe.
In the women's category, the bronze went to the United States, while the silver and gold to Kenyans again.
This highlighted another stark difference between the "haves" and "have-nots" in a sport that advocates fair and healthy competition.
Yet, with all the disadvantages, the Kenyans seemed to prevail quite comfortably.
Another reminder that "Black Lives Matter" after all! In particular to the US, when many of its winners are Blacks who help the country to be in first place, no matter how it is counted — by gold medal tally or the total count. There is no way to do otherwise as was attempted earlier by the US media houses.
For me, however, the most valuable lesson is when Malaysia was deprived of its "probable" gold medal when the British cyclist changed the "game" by speeding away at the very beginning of the race. Like it or not, the "old" ways are giving in to the "new".
If only our politicians can be sensitive enough to understand and practise this maxim, Malaysia will get its gold medal sooner than we think when we face challenges with solidarity.
The writer, an NST columnist for more than 20 years, is International Islamic University Malaysia rector
