Triple Olympian Bronwen Knox would support the cancellation of the Australian Waterpolo League

Triple Olympian Bronwen Knox says she would support playing in front of no spectactors at the Tokyo Olympic Games, as Water Polo Australia halted its national competition.

Triple Olympian Bronwen Knox would support playing infront of no spectactors at the Tokyo Olympic Games if it was in the best interests of public safety while helping preserve the health of her Olympic squad teammates.

Water Polo Australia this morning confirmed halting the remaining two home and away rounds and the finals’ series due to the Coronavirus.

Knox said if going to her fourth Olympic Games meant playing in front of no spectators at the Games to reduce the virus threat, then so be it.

“That (an Olympics) without spectators does not worry me,’’ Knox said.

“As long as I am wearing the green and gold with those Olympic rings on it and playing the best of the best, I am perfectly content with taking these measures now.’’

Bronwen Knox passing for Queensland Thunder in the Australian Water Polo League. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Knox, a contender to be Australia’s flag bearer should the Tokyo Olympic Games proceed, said if halting the national competition meant reducing the virus risk for her national and Queensland Thunder teammates, then she was all for it.

HOW THE SYDNEY OYLMPICS INSPIRED TRIPLE OLYMPIAN KNOX

“My focus is the Olympics and I don’t want them to be cancelled because I cannot do another four years physically or financially, and possibly mentally as well because it takes a lot out of you,’’ Knox said.

“If it means cancelling our domestic league to get on top of this virus, and for public safety and public health, then I am all for it because I want to be there competing at the Olympics – spectators or not.

Some of the young Queensland Thunder team which has been guided by the likes of Bronwen Knox and Abby Andrews, far left, this season. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

In a statement this morning, Water Polo Australia CEO Richard McInnes said the national league had been terminated while the national championships due to be held in Adelaide in May would also be cancelled.

In addition, the open championships in May would not go ahead.

He said: “While the AWL finals are only weeks away from being completed the rate of change in the CoVid19 situation means that a suspension of the event is not an option.

“It would not be reasonable to expect Clubs to continue to train indefinitely waiting for the situation to abate.

THUNDER COACH PRAISES MIND-BLOWING TALENT

“While the AWL crowds are unlikely to exceed 500 people, the requirement to travel through airports to and from games, and the broader connection our players and officials have into their respective communities, creates a significant risk to all.

“All Age Group national team preparation programs will also be suspended until further notice. WPA will await FINA decisions around the FINA World Championships events and make decisions in due course re preparation for them, if they are to go ahead.’’

ABBY ANDREWS – OUR NEXT OLYMPIAN

Yesterday, Knox’s young Queensland Thunder lost to top-of-the-table Sydney Uni Lions 6-4 after a 11-9 loss last night at the Valley Pool.

With most of the Thunder squad still eligible for junior competition, Queensland have had an outstanding season again after winning last year’s national title.

$1 for 28 days: Full digital subscription

“It is really positive to see that younger generation coming through,’’ Knox said in reference to a host of exciting rookies like Kate Blew, Charlize Andrews, Phoebe Leech, Tenealle Fasala, Molly Nasser, Alice Campbell and Amelia Watt.

“These girls shouldn’t be playing in this league for another two years.

Bronwen Knox celebrates after scoring a goal for Australia last year. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“But they were pushed into it last year and this year which means there are going to be some gun players coming through in 3-4 years time when they mature and can make those decisions without needing to be told play by play.

“There is a lot of natural raw talent and if they can harness that, it is going to be an amazing team in a couple of years.’’