KATHERINE GRAINGER Q&A
The Olympic rowing champion and chair of UK Sport on the challenges facing the nation’s athletes in difficult times
How important is grassroots sport to the eventual Olympic and Paralympic teams we produce in this country?
When I was in primary school, sport was built into our day, our week. I didn’t even think about it, I just thought it had always been there and would always be there. Lots of us recognise school sport as a place for children to be inspired, to enjoy being challenged and to have fun. I tried most sports including swimming, badminton, cross-country, hockey and netball. Some things I was good at and some distinctively less so but I enjoyed them all. In secondary school I tried karate and by the time I left school I was a black belt. But I was never thinking about a career in sport, it was all about having fun and getting involved in things I was passionate about. For many of our Olympic and Paralympic stars, it all started with a love for being active and the camaraderie which makes sport so special. So the role of grassroots sport in our Olympic and Paralympic success should never be overlooked, it’s an absolutely crucial part of our nation’s sporting success story.
And how crucial is it that the nation remains active when leisure centres, gyms and sports clubs are closed?
The pandemic is the biggest wake-up call for the nation in terms of the need to be more active to protect not just our physical health but our mental health too. When the pandemic first hit, elite sport effectively shut down and our Olympic and Paralympic athletes were forced to train from home. Clearly sports clubs and leisure facilities are a critical part of the social fabric of local communities up and down the country and we want to see them reopen. In the meantime, I would urge everyone to stay active, whether it’s a workout in your lounge or a walk around the local park.
What do you think is the current state of grassroots sport in this country?
I think we can all agree it has been a very difficult time for grassroots sport. This past year has been a year like no other with the pandemic impacting on every part of our daily life but what has been a constant source of encouragement is how we have met these challenges. Grassroots sport is full of amazing people. Coaches, volunteers, parents are all involved in giving young people a chance and despite all the undoubted challenges the sector faces, those I speak to from grassroots sport are more determined than ever to get the sector back up and running.
Do you think the sector has had enough support to get through this period?
Around £30million a week is raised for good causes across the UK by people playing the National Lottery and this has helped support sport at all levels, from the smallest rowing club to athletes preparing for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
How hard has this period been for the athletes aiming for, and still hoping to compete in, Tokyo this summer?
There has been a lot of uncertainty and a constantly changing environment for athletes. That does make it really difficult for athletes aiming for such an enormous occasion such as the Tokyo Games. In spite of the ongoing challenges, I think our athletes have been quite incredible. They have adapted to allow themselves to continue training, they’ve been innovative in their thinking and I know from speaking to many of them they feel they are in a privileged position and want to repay that to the nation by performing at their best as soon as they are able to do so. I would like to say thank you to all our National Lottery-funded athletes for supporting their local communities and inspiring us to stay active in our own homes.