NO spectators at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics? No problem.
Last week the International Olympic Council and Tokyo 2020 Olympics organising committee announced that there will be no fans allowed at the Games.
Our pair of Bruneian athletes - swimmer Muhammad Isa Ahmad and sprinter Md Noor Firdaus Ar-Rasyid Hj Md Idris - is unfazed by the situation.
Muis is set to race in the men's 200m breaststroke event while Firdaus set to run the men's 100m event.
Muis treating Games like any other competition
The national swimmer will go into the Olympics on a high after shaving off 0.01s for a new national short course record in the men's 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:04.44 on Saturday afternoon.
"To be honest, we're used to it which is like in Brunei. It will be interesting and quiet but it will be fine," said Muis in an interview after the flag handing over ceremony on Saturday morning.
"I'll just to take in all the experience being there as this is the new norm of competition.
"I'll learn all the SOP and race under this pressure. Many people to spectate or no people at all, I'll go into it as normal race and not think too much about it," he added.
When asked about preparations, Muis replied: "I wouldn’t say it has been difficult, just a bit different because obviously with other competitions we know when we would be going but because of COVID and universality rules, we only knew a month before.
"Preparations have been alright and the same for every competition. I will go into the Olympics as any other and do my best like any other race in Brunei or elsewhere," he added.
"But the difficult part is not being able to get any outside competition ahead of the Games.
"It’s tough not being able to race. Obviously it is really different to be put under pressure of a pandemic as we haven't flown out at all," continued Muis.
He will be the first to depart the country on Sunday and will be country's flagbearer at the opening ceremony on Friday.
"I'm more nervous about that than racing because I have never done that before," said Muis.
"I have done 100 races but never carried the flag for Brunei. It will be a good experience for me," he added.
Firdaus is raring to go but also concerned about the situation
"I’m quite happy and really excited but at the same time worried about the new normal with COVID-19," said Firdaus.
"It is a bit tough for us to go here and there (while in Tokyo) for warmups and drills. But we have to look after ourselves.
"Preparations haven't actually been easy especially without getting any exposure from outside competitions leading to the Olympics," he added.
"So how we train here is sparring with the junior athletes. Sometimes we put them ahead by 20-30m and I will try to beat them at the finish line," the 24-year-old elaborated.
When asked on his expectations, Firdaus replied: "It will feel like a training session without spectators or like sparring with other partners
"It is still exciting and we have to accept this new challenge for us.
"But due to the lack of any exposure competitions, we will have to stick to our target to reach the personal best we can or better, the national record," he concluded.
