Idled Olympians look to help young athletes
CHICAGO — Like many other Summer Olympians with newfound time on their hands amid the coronavirus pandemic, beachvolleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings has been doing what she can to pass on her experience — two decades of it, in her case.
Walsh Jennings has been conducting online talks with young volleyball players, including one with the team at her alma mater, Archbishop Mitty High School.
The 41yearold is one of several Olympic athletes who have been using digital avenues to help their sport during the shutdown. Though Zoom sessions are a frequent choice, some athletes are offering training tips on Instagram, and Olympic federations are pitching in with newsletters and other webbased help.
Walsh Jennings, a threetime Gold medalist and Stanford alum, said the calls have become a highlight of her day.
“We’re all feeling the same frustrations and longings,” she said. “It’s pretty special to be able to speak to the fact that we’re not alone in this and that it is up to each of us to make the best of what we have to work with — to focus on that which we can control.”
U.S. wrestlers Mallory Velte, Pat Smith and Yianni Diakomihalis detailed their athome workouts in a post on the federation website. Casey Patterson and April Ross were among the beachvolleyball players who shared workout tips during Facebook live sessions on the AVP page.
The federations also are reaching out. USA Water Polo has been sending out a weekly newsletter called “At Home with USA Water Polo” featuring interviews with coaches and athletes. U.S. Rowing has been holding webinars for its members. USA Volleyball has a page on its website with
COVID19related resources.
“A lot of people look to (us) in the athlete world, in our communities, for us to kind of be a voice. Like, how are we going to respond? What actions are we taking?” said U.S. softball pitcher Monica Abbott, a Santa Cruz native who has been doing speaking engagements with young softball players and holding pitching-inspired workout sessions.
Jesse Smith, the captain of the U.S. men’s waterpolo team, is adjusting his training, too. He also misses playing alongside his friends, and in that, he sees lessons he can provide.
“We’re all as athletes affected the same way,” said Smith, 37. “Even though I’m a fourtime Olympian, a silver medal (winner), training for my fifth Olympics, the captain of my team, the same thing is going on in my head as a 16yearold that got their (season) canceled, and I think that I have more tools available, so I’m trying to share that.”