Yee sisters Sally and Grace Yee continued training for the Olympic Games by setting up a gym at home in Suva.
It contained a table tennis playing set complete with table and playing area.
They have to reshuffle some home belongings to make way for their playing area to prepare for the Olympics qualifications rounds.
Olympian Sally Yee has high hopes of representing Fiji once again in table tennis in next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
The 19-year-old was to compete for the Oceania Singles and Mixed qualifying round two days ago in Brisbane Australia, but it has been postponed until next year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sally said the deferment of the qualifying round and the Olympic Games gave athletes ample time to sharpen up their fitness and skills.
“I believe whatever their plans are of moving the Olympics and cancelling many meets is for the safety of the athletes and for the people,” Sally said.
“I respect that as an athlete. My dream is to participate in the Olympics, but we still have to respect the rules and laws given.
“That doesn’t mean I stop my training as well.”
Sally has been practising with her young sister Grace during this crisis and finds it challenging especially when her younger sister is a national representative too.
“Grace is a really good player and her skills and knowledge in the sport has improved.
“I have no doubt that she could secure a scholarship too and be an Olympian in the future.
“She has helped me a lot in my preparation in this situation to keep me on my feet. When we compete and also my mum has also been there for me throughout my preparation.
“In Japan, the training facilities are much better and the competition level as well. I am grateful for my mum and my sister for always giving me a challenge when I’m at home and that keeps me on track with my performance as we wait for the continuation of the games and Olympic qualifiers.”
She was one of the International Olympic Committee scholarship recipients that received help to study and train in Japan.
Other recipients include Robert Elder (archery), Winston Hill (boxing), Tevita Takayawa (judo), Matelita Buadromo and EpeliRabua (swimming) and Eugene Vollmer (athletics).
