COVID-19 Strikes But Track And Field Athletes Fight Back

Sandi Morris Pole Vaulting / Flickr

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have been postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The year-long delay significantly impacts everyone involved in the Olympics, especially the Track and Field community which has the most events and athletes at the Summer Games.

The postponement means another year of training for all the runners, jumpers, and throwers hoping to compete in the Olympics. Many athletes will attempt to take advantage of this time to get in better shape; however, the coronavirus will hinder their ability to practice and deplete their finances. The athletes will have to alter their lifestyles to remain healthy during the virus outbreak.

Despite the disease’s disruption to their hopes and dreams, the majority of the athletes realize that delaying the Games was the right decision. Saving lives is more important than sports.

“Needless to say, I was really looking forward and my shape is good at the moment but for now we have to look at the bigger picture and do whatever it takes to beat the coronavirus,” Rio 2016 200m silver medallist Dafne Schippers posted on Instagram. “Let's hope for the best and let's make sure we'll celebrate even harder in 2021!”

Tianna Bartoletta is an American sprinter and long jumper who has won three gold medals and participated in two Olympics. She offered encouragement to all athletes while echoing a similar sentiment as her fellow runner.

“Dreams have NOT been cancelled,” Bartoletta tweeted. “Only delayed. Stay in it. Stay safe. Stay focused.”

Staying focused during a time like this won’t be easy with the threat of COVID-19 looming large. Some Olympians have to use all their resources on essential needs and can’t afford to pay for any equipment. The United States is giving athletes financial aid to increase their training capabilities while social distancing.

“To assist in bridging the gap between now and when restrictions are lifted and normal weight room access can occur,” the USA Track and Field organization announced, “the USATF and the USATF Foundation are partnering to allocate each Tier and [Talent Protection Program] athlete a stipend towards the purchase of simple, portable weight training equipment that they can use at home or at the track.”

Athletes’ strength, power, speed, and stamina will decrease without proper training. These attributes are especially key for track and field athletes who specialize in being the fastest and strongest.

“All sports where speed and explosiveness are required are going to be affected after two weeks,” sports scientist Lars Donath said to the Deutsche Welle media company.

Silver medallist pole-vaulter Sandi Morris is adapting on the fly to prepare for 2021. Her father is making a pole-vaulting pit to help her train during quarantine. Unfortunately, Morris has to travel over 600 miles and rent a house to be able to use it. Those expenses are more significant now that she has no income.

“[Morris] was concerned how she would support herself through the pandemic and the postponement, with no opportunities for appearance fees and prize money on the horizon,” Juliet Macur, et al. of the NY Times reported.

This is an unprecedented time filled with uncertainty for the whole world. The track and field stars have embraced the challenge of living in a pandemic while still preparing for the Games. They are not giving up or making excuses and look forward to proving themselves next summer.

Andy Jiang also contributed to this article.