Why can’t I return to dancing on ice?
ICE rinks are still closed and a decision on their reopening will not be made until at least the weekend. Originally, they were expected to reopen on August 1, but with less than 24 hours’ notice, Boris Johnson cancelled this. I am a competitive figure skater and believe this sport should not have been put in the same category as casinos and bowling alleys. The Government has made it a priority to keep pubs open instead of allowing athletes to return to the rinks and train while perfectly maintaining social distancing. It is simple to create a safe environment at an ice rink as the number of skaters can easily be reduced and no equipment needs to be touched. Skating rinks are sports facilities that should have opened on July 25 alongside gyms and swimming pools. Even snow domes have reopened. I understand the need to put the brakes on the easing of lockdown restrictions, but it makes no sense for the reopening of ice rinks to be postponed while pubs and restaurants remain open. I started skating at the age of 13, which is pretty late for this sport as it takes years to master the complicated moves. Many start as young as three years old. I have struggled with anxiety and couldn’t let go of the barrier for the first two months, but everything changed for me when I started skating around the ice rink. I am nearly 16 and after competing in regional events in Serbia, I was set to have my first competition here in April, but, of course, it was cancelled.
Throughout lockdown I have been rollerblading and doing off-ice training to keep me fit, but not being able to skate has been difficult. Before lockdown, I was skating for up to four hours almost every day. I fear that some rinks may never be able to reopen because of the financial effects of lockdown, with coaches and staff losing their jobs. alexanDRa ROBeRTS,
Batley, W. yorks.
IT SEEMS odd that ice rinks are still closed, while restaurants are subsidised. I thought the Government’s message to the nation was to eat less, do more sport and reduce obesity. There’s also the matter of social distancing. While ice rinks could re-open with only 20 skaters at a time — that’s 1,000 sq ft each — restaurants give you no more than 6 ft x 10 ft for a table for four.
SciRaRD GReen, Bebington, Wirral.