‘Same goal but new dates’ for Pascoe
who want to try to accomplish their goals and dreams, I’ll do it.’’
Now 34, Phelps is happily married with three young sons. Though he has no plans for another comeback, he is still involved in the sport through a swimwear company and other business ventures.
He was looking forward to attending the Olympics as a spectator for the first time. He hasn’t been to Japan since his breakthrough performance at the 2001 world championships.
‘‘I’m somebody who truly loves and enjoys watching the sport at the highest level,’’ Phelps said. ‘‘I obviously know what it takes to get there. I was truly looking forward to seeing how everybody was doing.’’
He still plans to be at the Olympics. But, like everyone else, his plans are hold.
New Zealand’s most decorated swimmer Sophie Pascoe supports the decision to postpone the Olympics and Paralympics until 2021.
‘‘It’s gutting we can’t go but we all understand,’’ Pascoe said.
‘‘Covid-19 is bigger than sport. Everyone’s health is paramount.’’
The nine-time Paralympic gold medallist has been advocating for the Games to be postponed. ‘‘It’s not like it’s not going ahead . . . we’ve got the same goal but new dates.’’
Pascoe knew this was a possibility, and many of her Paralympic team-mates felt the same. She said it’s important the Games are fair and surrounded by excitment but that wouldn’t be possible with the global pandemic.
‘‘Covid-19 is too big,’’ she said. ‘‘We will be prepared [for 2021]. We still know we are aiming for the games.’’
Pascoe has been training normally but cautiously until Monday when pools across the country were closed down.
She, along with many of the athletes, have been able to set up home gyms to continue training during the nationwide lockdown.
Athletes have also been working to reach peak fitness in time for the Olympics and Paralympics in July and August, so the pandemic and subsequent lockdown will see training schedules change.
‘‘At this stage all I can do is go back to the drawing board,’’ she said. It’s not yet known when the Games will go ahead in 2021 but for now Pascoe is focusing on the here and now.
‘‘We are all in this together – it’s about being with loved ones and supporting each other.’’
Athletes train and prepare for every possibility, but not this, said 2016 Rio Paralympic swimmer Jesse Reynolds.
‘‘This one is pretty crazy because as athletes we get told to prepare for everything. We’re doing all these different things in training, so when your goggles break [for example] . . . there’s all these precautions you take,’’ he said. ‘‘When something goes wrong, you’re ready for it.’’
Reynolds overcame a major injury in week leading up to Rio and was able to hit some personal bests and make it to his first final.
But keeping his mental health in check was an important part in reaching his goals.
He said the mental health and wellbeing of athletes at this time will be important.
‘‘It would be a bit of a mental struggle for athletes to get through this time and then come out stronger at the other end,’’ said Reynolds, who has been in touch with a sports psychologist and encourages others to do the same.