COVID-19 continues to represent the single biggest challenge to sport
The calendar has flipped to May and 14 months into the pandemic, COVID-19 continues to represent the single biggest hurdle for sportsmen and women dreaming to make their mark internationally.
With the surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths, many sporting events have either been cancelled or hang in the balance leaving athletes of all ages understandably frustrated.
For many, 2021 marked their last chance to compete at either the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan or for the teen athletes, the CARIFTA Games in Bermuda.
On May 7, the boxers in the Region will know their fate as it regards to entering the ring in Tokyo.
After the Qualifiers originally scheduled for May 10-16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina was KO’d, a ranking system was employed to determine which boxers would make the cut.
The ranking system could potentially derail the Olympic futures of Guyana elite trio of Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis and Desmond Amsterdam and others around the Region.
The South American Senior Championships (another Qualifier for the Olympic Games) was initially scheduled to be held in Buenos Aires from May 14-16 but the surge has also forced its postponement. An alternative date and host nation is being discussed by the South American Athletics Confederation (CONSUDATLE).
Many around the Region are also pessimistic about the hosting of the CARIFTA Games slated for August 13-15.
The 14-day mandatory quarantine for unvaccinated visitors could potentially be a huge deal breaker.
Since the vaccination requirement would impact all Under-17 athletes as well as some of the Under-20s, it is a significant stumbling block.
Other potential challenges were put on the table, including the impact of positive COVID-19 tests during the Games, available hotel rooms, and timelines for booking charters and making payments.
Also having an outfit to quarantine for 14 days then having them compete is virtually impossible. I do not foresee that happening and even if it does, it will be costly on whoever has to foot the bill.
The Games mean much to teen athletes in terms of them securing scholarships to overseas colleges and universities and not having it would be detrimental to their chances and even their future.
The Local Organizing Committee of the Games was scheduled to report to the council of North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) yesterday on the way forward with regards to the running off of CARIFTA.
This year’s Aliann Pompey Invitational, another Qualifier for the Olympic Games also hangs in the balance. In April, Guyana recorded its deadliest month since the pandemic started and if the trend continues, the June 19 fixture could also be shelved like it was last year. Just recently, the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) was forced to put an indefinite pause on all its activities.
In May 2021, COVID-19 continues to represent the single biggest challenge to sport globally.