Olympics: Steve Hooker warns AOC of athlete anxiety
Steve Hooker informed the AOC board of the growing anxiety among athletes due to the uncertainty around the Olympics.
Olympic gold medallist Steve Hooker, chairman of the Australian Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission, informed the AOC board of the growing anxiety among athletes due to the uncertainty around the Tokyo Olympics.
One of the messages from the athletes was if Tokyo does go ahead it would be an unfair and an unlevel playing field. There is a sentiment they may not be competing “against the world” — clearly if all countries cannot take part or their opposition’s training is severely compromised because of the pandemic.
Some Australian athletes are concerned around disruption to qualification for the Australian team because of COVID-19 — and the Games going ahead. Hooker put forward a “very balanced view” that while athletes want to be part of these Olympics, they have many concerns. AOC chief John Coates, who was on the conference call, said Hooker expressed the concerns of the Australian athlete group who have hopes of competing in Tokyo in July.
“We spent most of the time talking about our team and what we will have to do in the AOC board meeting,” Coates said.
“Steve Hooker was very good in the reporting from the link-up he had with our athletes nationally and internationally, the fact the uncertainty is certainly causing them anxiety. It is something we need to work with the athletes and the sports to address. Steve is a very fine person, he has big input in our organisation.
“That’s something that is reflected in the message that swimming released (concerns around fair play and health). The anxiety is also reflected in the fact that there is a general concern not amongst ourselves, but their fellow competitors, which is very pleasing. While there is anxiety and uncertainty whether it is going to happen, and there is anxiety for some sports around qualification, the overwhelming message was that athletes want to go.”
While sports such as rowing will be able to qualify extra boats under new rules brought in in response to the coronavirus, athletics and swimming have not been able to finalise their teams because of cancelled events, including national championships.
Swimming Australia on Friday stopped short of calling on the International Olympic Committee to postpone or cancel the Games. They do want the IOC to put fair play and health foremost when deciding if the Games, due to start on July 24, proceed.
Coates said ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of athletes is also a priority in a time like this — the AIS have study program around their welfare — as well as keeping athletes updated.
“The meeting touched on some measures to be put in place including a number athletes can phone in,” Coates said.
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