Athletics

Olympics should be taking place now!

The Olympics were supposed to be in full swing at the moment with the Paralympics to follow.

They take place every 4 years so that’s 4 years of training and preparation the athletes need to structure into their lives. Athletes competed at countless events in 2019 to be in with a chance to make the Olympic team.

The Olympics are now rearranged for the 23rd July – 8th August 2021.

The Paralympics are now rearranged for 24th August- 5th September 2021.

Have the Olympics been cancelled before?

Yes! Since the first Games in 1896 the Olympics has been cancelled three times before.

1916 during WWI

1940 and 1944 during WWII.

What happens when they are delayed or cancelled? How do they then adjust the training that was to have them on top form by a specific date? How does it affect their mental health? Have some athletes given up their Olympic dream due to the delay or are new athletes now able to compete?

According to British Athletics it will depend on the athlete.

Endurance runners would still have been able to log their miles on the roads or on grass.

Sprinters have had to get a bit more creative while the tracks have been closed, some taking to core home workouts and others trying to do sessions on grass.

However, it’s clear that some athletes will be at an advantage depending on what equipment they would have access to at home/could borrow.

We asked two of the Mintridge ambassadors about their viewpoint.

Marilyn Okoro has said:

“Tokyo 2021, have your way Lord. If God asked you to, would you lay your running at the Altar?

My identity used to be tied to my performance but now I realise that there is more to Marilyn than my personal bests. I have taken this mindset as I move into preparations for the postponed Olympics and this is God’s belief for me. We move ahead to next year and I will continue to use this time to be the best version of Marilyn that I can be.”

Laura Sugar said:

“Public health and safety comes first and is always the priority. I now have one more year to get stronger and faster. The dream and the goals remain the same! Roll on the Paralympics 2021. Tokyo, I am coming for you!”

Thanks to British Athletics we can show you the footage of the U13 and U15 boys and girls 4 x 200m relays from earlier this year.....maybe some of these athletes will reach the Olympics in a few years?