Don’t leave athletes in the dark on grants

@wesbotton

The criticism of athletes is part of the deal in elite sport. And that’s fair. If it wasn’t for the fans and the media, there would be no platform and no second glance from potential sponsors.

But the sacrifices made by professional sport stars are extreme. They have to give up much of what the rest of us take for granted, and their personal lives revolve around the need to hammer their bodies into submission.

It’s a hard life, and if we’re honest, the main reason we turn a blind eye is because they’re paid to make those sacrifices.

Granted, many athletes do not receive sufficient financial support, but they should. They deserve it.

So when our lives are locked down, as they are right now, we need to consider how much we care.

Nothing has changed for them. Athletes in every code have no idea when they’ll compete again, so they have to stay fit. There’s no room for respite.

As hard as they’re still working, however, many are not being rewarded for the sacrifices they’re making, and the stress must be extreme.

Sponsors may be trying, but corporates are struggling, and with no live sport in SA, prize money and performance fees are on hold.

In addition, the broadcast contracts which play a key role in funding the sports industry are in breach, so federations are battling.

In short, there is a cash flow issue, and it’s a real problem.

Athletes need to eat, and so do their families.

At the moment there is only one place for many of them to turn, and while government has made an attempt to provide a relief fund to assist them, there’s far too much confusion.

Athletes who haven’t received grants haven’t got clarity on why they’ve been left out, and while most who have been approved for a cut have been paid, some are still waiting.

Elite athletes spend their best years dedicated to our entertainment, and they’re still making sacrifices even if they’re not actually competing.

If they are not given the support they need, or sufficient clarity, none of us can blame them for giving up.

Nor can we criticise them if they are not physically, mentally and emotionally ready when the lockdown is lifted and we expect them to perform in line with our usual demands.