Aussie cyclist Matthew Glaetzer will use Olympics delay to get even fitter and faster for Tokyo in 2021
Aussie cycling star Matthew Glaetzer – who had surgery for thyroid cancer in November – says the postponement of the Olympic Games will allow him to get in the best shape possible in his push for gold.
Cycling
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cycling. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- SA athletes speak out in support of Olympics delay
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Two-time track cycling world champion Matthew Glaetzer says he is now looking at his 19-week Tokyo Olympic training block as a 60-week preparation after the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) told athletes to prepare for the Games to be postponed until 2021.
Glaetzer said it was the only logical decision for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to make and may well be a blessing in disguise for him given he had surgery for thyroid cancer in November and missed last month’s world championships with a calf injury.
“I’m not too concerned with it being one year later, maybe it’s a blessing in disguise for me with my disrupted last six months,” he said.
“I’ll be 28 next year and still be able to rip it on the bike that’s for sure, I’m not concerned about slowing down, it just delays things.”
He said the cycling team learned of the AOC’s position on Monday morning after they moved training from the SuperDrome to home while the nation deals with the coronavirus pandemic.
‘We were informed this morning about potential changes and that we should start thinking about preparing for a Tokyo 2021 Games, but it’s not confirmed yet, not official, so we need to wait for the IOC to announce in concrete,” he said.
Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial >
“But personally I always thought this was the most likely situation anyway, because it’s going to take a lot for this virus to be under control, and logically it’s the best decision for them to make.
“I was going to be very surprised if it went ahead as scheduled so I’m glad these talks are going on, and I’m sure we’ll get confirmation quite soon.
“Now it’s just making sure that we’re doing everything correctly, go about our business, be fit and healthy and keep getting strong.”
The Australian cycling team had already taken its gym equipment home after a staff member tested positive to COVID-19 after returning from the world championships in Berlin earlier this month.
But they moved it back to the SuperDrome when it was reopened after cleaning and disinfecting on Saturday, only to be on the move again on Monday morning when the Federal Government closed all indoor sports facilities.
Glaetzer – a former team sprint and keirin world champion – says athletes are in the same holding pattern as the rest of the world during this crisis.
“We’re home again, we’re not able to access the track for bike training or gym indefinitely which will throw a spanner in the works but we’ll have to be flexible and roll with the punches as things develop,” he said.
“But it’s with everything, business, everyone is getting hit pretty hard.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au
Originally published as Aussie cyclist Matthew Glaetzer will use Olympics delay to get even fitter and faster for Tokyo in 2021